Abstract

BOLOORSAZ, M.R. et al. Impact of anti-tuberculosis therapy on plasma zinc status in childhood tuberculosis. East. Mediterr. health j. [online]. 2007, vol.13, n.5, pp. 1078-1084. ISSN 1020-3397.

This study compared plasma zinc levels in 15 children with active pulmonary tuberculosis, 15 malnourished children and 15 healthy children. Mean plasma zinc concentrations in children with tuberculosis (71.7 µg/dL) were not significantly different than the other 2 groups (72.5 and 76.9 µg/dL). The zinc status of the children with tuberculosis was evaluated after 2 months and 4 months of DOTS therapy. The serum zinc level during anti-tuberculosis therapy decreased after 1 month and then recovered to the initial level after 4 months of treatment.