Serum trace element (zinc, iron, copper) levels in acute bronchiolitis cases

Aim. Acute bronchiolitis is an infection of the lower respiratory tract caused by viruses, especially in children under 2 years of age, that occurs by retaining epithelial cells in small airways, causing increased mucus production, bronchioles obstruction, bronchospasm and air trapping. The high incidence of the disease and the lack of a fully effective treatment or preventive intervention increase the importance of the disease. It is known that in addition to glucose, fatty acids, amino acids and vitamins, minerals and trace elements are needed for the regulation of various physiological and biological events in our body. Among these trace elements, especially zinc, iron and copper, which are found in the highest amount in our body and play a role in the regulation of both cellular and humoral immunity, the body resistance against comman childhood infections such as LRTI decreases. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of deficiency of these elements in the etiology of the disease by comparing serum zinc, copper and iron levels in patients diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis and healthy children. Method. 40 children aged between 2 months and 5 years who applied to Bezmialem University Pediatric Emergency and Pediatric Health and Diseases outpatient clinics with acute bronchiolitis between September 2019 and May 2020, and 40 healthy children without any pathological findings on physical examination were included in the study. Physical examination findings of the patient group were recorded. Patients diagnosed with acute bronchiolitis were divided into mild, moderate and severe groups using clinical scoring systems. Serum zinc, iron and copper levels were examined and compared to the control group. Result. The ages of the case group ranged from 2 months to 5 years, with a mean of 19.5 ± 18.2 months. The ages of the control group were between 2 months and 5 years, similar to the case group, with a mean of 22.0 ± 12.3 months. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age distribution(p>0,05). Twelve (30%) of our case group participating in our study were girls and 28 (70%) were boys. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of gender distribution(p>0,05). Serum zinc and iron levels were significantly lower in the study group compared to the control group(p<0,05). Conclusion. Serum zinc and iron deficiency may be a risk factor for acute bronchiolitis. Especially in developing countries like our country; the importance of micronutrients in our diet should not be forgotten in order to be protected from infectious diseases such as acute bronchiolitis that do not have a complete and effective treatment, therefore, it should be considered that these elements may play a role in decreasing the frequency of acute bronchiolitis, and we think that adding zinc and iron to the treatment in addition to the current treatment of acute bronchiolitis may be beneficial.