Published online Mar 9, 2024. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v13.i1.87866
Peer-review started: August 30, 2023
First decision: November 1, 2023
Revised: November 11, 2023
Accepted: November 29, 2023
Article in press: November 29, 2023
Published online: March 9, 2024
Childhood bronchial asthma (BA) is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease. Nutritional conditions, including zinc deficiency, can affect such allergic dis
To outline the difference in serum zinc levels between asthmatic children and healthy controls.
A cross-sectional study was carried out at Children’s Hospital, Cairo University, investigating serum zinc levels in children with BA (n = 40) and healthy children
Children with BA had higher levels of zinc, yet the difference was not significant (P = 0.115). Serum ferritin and IgE levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children (P = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively), yet their levels did not differ significantly by severity (P = 0.623 and 0.126, respectively). There was a nonsignificant weak correlation between serum ferritin levels and both serum iron and Hb levels.
Serum zinc levels do not seem to differ between asthmatic children and healthy children. Serum ferritin levels may be a marker of asthma control. Serum IgE levels are not markers of asthma severity.
Core Tip: Serum zinc levels were higher in asthmatic children than in nonasthmatic children. However, the difference was not significant. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in asthmatic children, which may be due to its immunosuppressive properties. Serum ferritin should not be considered in the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia in asthmatic children. Serum immunoglobulin E should not be applied to diagnose the severity of childhood asthma. Further studies that track biomarkers such as ferritin during asthma progression are needed.