753 The Association of Zinc Deficiency with Iron Deficiency

Aim The aim of this study is to determine whether iron deficiency is associated with zinc deficiency. Methods Ninety-eight patients with ID and/or IDA and 100 healthy controls who were examined at Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Pediatric and Child Health Department outpatient clinic were included prospectively in this study. Blood samples were collected from cases and controls for complete blood count, iron, TIBC, ferritin and zinc levels. The association between zinc levels and hematological and biochemical parameters were examined. Results There was significant difference (p<0.05) between zinc levels of the cases and controls, serum zinc levels were lower in cases compared to controls. Zinc deficiency was more frequent in children with iron deficiency and/or anemia (9.2%) than those without iron deficiency (1%). In cases, no significant difference was found (p>0.05) between zinc levels in relation to the absence or presence of anemia. There was no correlation between zinc levels and Hb, Htc, MCV, ferritin or TIBC (p>0.05). However there was a positive correlation beween zinc levels and iron and TSI. In the control group, there was no statistical relation between zinc levels and Hb, Htc, MCV, iron, TIBC, TSI and ferritin levels (p>0.05). Conclusion In our study, we detected significant lower zinc levels in children with iron deficiency before the onset of anemia. Therefore, we propose that the use of preparations containing both iron and zinc might be more effective in improvement of clinical signs of iron and zinc deficiency.