Role of Zinc Supplementation in Treating Measles Pnemonia in Children

Abstract

Objective: To determine the role of zinc supplementation in treating measles pneumonia in
children.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted in the department of Paediatric, Services
hospital, Lahore. The duration of the study was 6 months from June 2012 to December 2012. 120
cases of children with measles Pneumonia between 9 months to 15 years of age with both
genders were included in this study after taking informed consent from parents. An approval was
taken by ethical committee of the hospital. All patients received zinc sulphate (1mgkg/day) along
with conventional treatment in twice daily doses till resolution of measles pneumonia. Patients
were assessed daily for fever, rash and tachypnea and findings were recorded till the resolution of
measles pneumonia. All these information were recorded on a pre-designed proforma.
Results: In our study, out of 120 cases, 81.67%(n=98) were between 1-10 years of age while
18.33%(n=22) were between 11-15 years of age, mean+sd was calculated as 7.49+3.48 years,
51.67%(n=62) male and 48.33%(n=58) were females, mean duration of illness in children with
measles pneumonia receiving conventional treatment with zinc supplementation was calculated
as 132.81+8.36 hours.
Conclusion: We concluded that that mean duration of illness in children with measles
pneumonia receiving conventional treatment with zinc supplementation was similar to previous
studies, however, in absence of any local study, there is a dire need for further trials to validate our
findings.