ROLE OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION IN RECOVERY OF CHILDREN WITH MEASLES AND THE DURATION OF HOSPITAL STAY: AN INTERVENTIONAL STUDY IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v21i1.1735Keywords:
Measles, Maculopapular rash, Hospital stay, Childhood Respiratory Tract Infection, ConjunctivitisAbstract
Background: Measles contribute to considerable childhood morbidity and mortality. Emerging research suggests zinc supplementation may enhance immune function and play a role in reducing hospital stay in children with measles by shortening recovery time. Objective of this study was to determine the role of zinc supplementation in recovery of children with measles in terms of duration of hospital stay. Methods: This study was conducted in Department of Paediatrics, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from Oct 2021 to Apr 2022. A total of 117 children of either gender with signs and symptoms of measles were enrolled in this study using convenient sampling technique, after taking an informed consent from the parents or patients. All patients received zinc supplement on admission to hospital. A specially designed proforma was used for data collection. Demographic data, duration of disease, hospital stay, and vaccination status were recorded. Data was analysed on SPSS-19. Results: Among the 117 children, 34% were females. Age varied from 5 months to 12 years (Mean age=21.95 months), and weight varied from 4 to 30 Kg (Mean weight=9.31 Kg). Majority of the patients (56.4%) were unvaccinated while 21.4% were partially vaccinated, and 11% were fully vaccinated. Duration of hospital stay varied between 1 to 13 days (Mean stay=3.15 days). Conclusion: The role of zinc in reducing the duration of hospital stay in children with measles is inconclusive. Children who had history of vaccination against measles had better recovery.
Pak J Physiol 2025;21(1):64–6, DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v21i1.1735
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Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Ali Raza, Syed Sajid Hussain Shah, Saima Gillani, Fazal Mabood, Khayal Muhammad
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