The nutrient status of Chinese infants with pneumonia

Recent studies have shown that zinc, iron, vitamin A and other nutrients are closely related to the body's resistance to infection. This study was aimed to investigate the nutrient status of Chinese infants with pneumonia and reveal the relationship between nutrients and the outcome of pneumonia. Total 120 infants with pneumonia and 60 healthy infants aged 6 to 36 months were enrolled in this study as diseased and control groups. Serum levels of zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin D were measured, and the values were compared between the two groups. We found that the incidences of iron, zinc, and vitamin A deficiency were significantly higher in diseased group than in control group (p<0.05), while the incidences of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D deficiency had no significant differences (p>0.05). Serum levels of zinc, iron, and vitamin A were significantly lower in diseased group than in control group (p<0.05), while those of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D had no significant difference (p>0.05). In conclusion, Zinc, iron, and vitamin A deficiency were observed among Chinese children with pneumonia. Zinc, iron and vitamin A supplementation may be helpful for the prevention and treatment of infant pneumonia.