Abstract
Fifty five histopathologically proved cases of Indian childhood cirrhosis (ICC) were studied for the effect of oral zinc oxide/zinc sulphate therapy both in doses of 120 mg/day. Twenty six patients were given zinc oxide, 19 were given zinc sulphate and 10 cases served as control. Serum zinc was estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (ASS). Serum zinc was low in all the stages of ICC and was directly related to the severity of the disease. Serum zinc was 72±11μg/dl in stage I; 65±14μg/dl in stage II; 57±18 μg/dl in stage III compared with 123±23μg/dl in normal children. Inspite of oral zinc therapy clinical condition and liver histopathology advanced in all patients and they expired due to hepatic coma. It is concluded that hypozincemia in ICC is a nonspecific finding and zinc therapy has no role in its management.
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This study was carried out by research grant from Medical Research Center, Bombay Hospital Trust, Bombay—20.
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Bhandari, B., Sharda, B. Zinc therapy in Indian childhood cirrhosis. Indian J Pediatr 47, 483–487 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02822533
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02822533