The Effect of Zinc Supplementationon the Symptoms of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease; a Randomized Clinical Trial

Zinc Deficiency and Therapeutic Value of Zinc Supplementation in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Diseases

The benefits of zinc in treating certain gastrointestinal (GI) diseases have been recognized for over two decades. This review aims to explore zinc deficiency (ZD) and the potential therapeutic value and safety of zinc supplementation in pediatric GI diseases. A systematic review of published articles on ZD and zinc as adjuvant treatments for GI diseases was conducted using various databases. Children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, and those receiving long-term proton pump inhibitor treatments are particularly susceptible to ZD. ZD in children with celiac disease and IBD is attributed to insufficient intake, reduced absorption, and increased intestinal loss as a result of the inflammatory process. Zinc plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the gastric mucosa and exerts a gastroprotective action against gastric lesions. Although considerable evidence supports the use of zinc as adjuvant therapy for certain GI diseases in adults, its use is unspecified in children except for infectious diarrhea. Current evidence suggests that zinc supplementation with well-documented dosages helps reduce the duration of diarrhea in children with acute or persistent diarrhea, while there are no specific guidelines for zinc supplementation in children with IBD and celiac disease. Zinc supplementation appears to be beneficial in peptic ulcer disease or gastroesophageal reflux disease. The available evidence highlights the need for intervention programs to enhance zinc status and reduce the morbidity of certain GI diseases in children.

BLOOD ZINC LEVEL IN CHILDREN WITH COMBINED GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE AND CHRONIC GASTRODUODENAL PATHOLOGY

Pathology of the upper digestive tract is the most common among gastroenterological diseases in children of different ages and is 48-50 %. Recently, there has been an increase in combined lesions of the esophagus and organs of the gastroduodenal zone. Currently, microelements are considered to play a role in the etiopathogenesis of the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the work was to study zinc level in the blood of children with combined gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic gastroduodenal pathology. Materials and methods. 110 children with combined GERD and lesions of the gastroduodenal zone at the age of 10–18 years were under observation. In order to verify the diagnosis, esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed. The level of zinc in the blood of children was studied using photometric method. Results. 52.5 % of children with concomitant GERD and chronic gastroduodenal pathologies had a reduced zinc level in the blood. According to the results of the study, the risk factors of zinc deficiency in children with combined pathology of the upper digestive tract include male sex, age older than 14 years, the duration of the disease longer than 3 years. The level of zinc in the blood of children was significantly reduced in destructive lesions of the esophagus, as well as with more pronounced inflammation of the gastric mucosa, in duodenitis and erosions in the duodenal bulb. Conclusions. Thus, the results of the study showed the importance of studying the level of zinc in the blood of patients with combined GERD and chronic gastroduodenal pathology to achieve positive changes by its correction. Zinc deficiency more often develops in boys over 14 year old, who has inflammatory changes of digestive tract.