The aim of present study was to assess the association between serum
zinc and
oxidant/
antioxidant status in children with
protein energy malnutrition. Serum
zinc, total
antioxidant capacity and
malondialdehyde were measured spectrophotometrically in 100 children (6 mo to 5 y); out of these, 50 children were malnourished and 50 children served as controls. Serum
zinc levels were found to be significantly low in the malnourished (p<0.001). Serum
zinc levels in Grade I and Grade II malnourished were 82.7 and 67.7 microg/dL respectively and in Grade III and IV combined was 53.2 microg/dL as compared to 109.5 microg/dL in the control group. These levels were significantly lower in children who had skin lesions than in those without such lesions (p<0.001). Total
antioxidant capacity was found to be significantly lowered in malnourished children (Grade I=1.3 mmol/L, Grade II=1.1 mmol/L, Grade III and IV=0.5 mmol/L) as compared to 2.0 mmol/L in the control group (p<0.001). The
malondialdehyde concentration in malnourished children was significantly higher (p<0.001) (Grade I=1.6 nmol/mL, Grade II=1.9 nmol/mL, Grade III and IV=2.9 nmol/mL) as compared to 1.3 nmol/mL in controls. Total
antioxidant capacity and hypoalbuminaemia were also correlated positively with low serum
zinc level. Serum
trace element deficiency leading to depleted
antioxidant protection may be a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of
protein energy malnutrition and replacement of these elements in the management of this condition might be important.