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1.2 lakh children die of pneumonia a yr in country

Zinc deficiency causes pneumonia
Low level of zinc is one of the Important causes behind childhood pneumonia, a disease of respiratory system, according to a research conducted by a paeditriclan
Dr Mohammad Selim Shakur. Professor and senior consultant of Bangladesh Institute of Child Health. Dhaka Shlshu Hospital, carried out the study leading to his PhD degree conferred on him by the Dhaka University in May this year
Animal proteins like meat and fish, and fermented or germinated seed or cereal are the sources of zinc, an essential trace element.
In Bangladesh. 380.000 children under five die every year from various diseases while 120,000 of them from pneumonia alone. Dr Shakur told UNB.
Pneumonia is an infectious disease caused bv Pneumo Coccus and Haemophylus Influenza bacteria
Noted child specialist Dr Shakur suggested taking of zinc acetate or zinc sulphate oral suspension for vulnerable malnourished children, susceptible to Acute Respiratory' Tract Infection (ARI).
Dr Shakur carried out his
research work entitled "Acute Respiratory Tract Infection associated with low zinc level in severely malnourished children oh 152 children aged between 6 months to five years.
Of the study subjects. 35 children had Aki (pneumonia) without malnutrition. -17 had severe Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) without pneumonia or other significant clinical problems and 32 had severe PEM complicated by pneumonia.
The remaining 38 children, taken as control for the study, were well nourished without any significant clinical problem
The study was carried out at the Dhaka Shlshu Hospital under the supervision of Dr M A Malek. Professor of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science (INFS). University of Dhaka.
INFS and Atomic Energy Centre extended coop-ration by providing instrumental facilities.
Zinc status was assessed by simultaneous determination of zinc concentration in serum, liquid part of blood after ( lotting. and hair
The study found that children suffering from pneumonia had less zine in their body than healthy children. Zinc status was also found low In a malnourished children.
Both pneumonia and malnutrition are major health problems. a major factor of high child mortality rate In Bangladesh.
According to the scientists, zinc is an essential mineral and plays an Important role In the body's defence mechanism against Infectious diseases, in-emding pneumonia.
It Is also an important constituent of enzyme carbonic anhydrase, which is essential for breathing.
Zinc Is also essential for the growth of children.
The study recommended that Bangladeshi children should be given zinc enriched food to vulnerable children for reducing the incidents of pneumonia and malnutrition.
Dr Selim Shakur also presented a paper of his research finding at an international conference at Stockholm from June 12-16. The paper was accepted in the seminar. Dr Shakui said.