Effect of zinc in severe pneumonia in children of 6 months to 5 years in Allied Hospital, Faisalabad.

Abstract

In Pakistan, pneumonia is very prevalent disease and major cause of death in pediatric age group. Objectives: Our objective is to see the effect of zinc supplementation in severe pneumonia. Study Design: Double blind controlled clinical trial. Setting: Tertiary Care Center of Teaching Hospital. Period: June 2015 to November 2015. Material & Methods: The study was conducted in tertiary care center of teaching hospital children with age group of “06 month to 05 years” diagnosed as case of severe pneumonia. They were randomly assigned to receive conventional treatment and supplementation with zinc (group A) and conventional treatment (group B) alone. They received 20mg of elemental zinc from first day of treatment along with conventional treatment. The characteristics like symptoms at admission and variable like age sex were not statistically different in both age groups. Result: The group who received zinc and conventional treatment showed significant decrease in duration of symptoms and duration of hospitalization. Conclusion: This study shows that administration of zinc along with antibiotics can fasten the healing and recovery of pneumonia. We suggest addition of zinc in treatment of pneumonia.