serum levels of vitamins a and d, and zinc in children with acute diarrhea: a cross-sectional study

background: diarrhea is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity during the early life period especially in developing countries. micronutrients deficiencies have been proposed either as a risk factor or a consequence of diarrhea. association studies highlight the relation of vitamins and minerals’ deficiencies with acute diarrhea. in this regard we aimed to evaluate the status of vitamins a and d, and zinc serum levels in children with acute diarrhea.   methods : in this cross sectional study performed in a referral teaching hospital, we measured and compared baseline vitamin a, 25-hydroxy vitamin d (25(oh)d), and zinc serum levels in 25 children admitted with acute diarrhea and 25 other children who were admitted for undergoing elective surgeries.   results : 25-(oh)d levels were significantly lower in the diarrhea group (p=0.03). we were unable to demonstrate a significant difference in the levels of vitamin a and zinc between the case and control groups (p= 0.14 and p=0.07, respectively).   conclusion : we observed lower serum 25(oh)d levels in children with acute diarrhea. whether this finding indicates a premorbid risk factor or simply a consequence of diarrhea needs further studies. regardless of the cause and effect relationship, supplementation with vitamin d in acute diarrhea remains as a plausibleconsideration.