Assessment of Some Dietary Elements and Serum Minerals in Asthmatic Children Attending the Outpatient Clinic of National Nutrition Institute

Saleh, Azza; AbdElaal, Zeinab; Abdelsalam, Hoda; Ismail, Wafaa; Abou-Elalla, Amany; Khairy, Sahar

doi:10.21608/bnni.2017.4246

Assessment of Some Dietary Elements and Serum Minerals in Asthmatic Children Attending the Outpatient Clinic of National Nutrition Institute

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Environmental Medical Sciences,National Nutrition Institute

² Public Health,National Nutrition Institute

³ Food Science,National Nutrition Institute

⁴ Biochemistry,National Nutrition Institute

⁵ Clinical Pathology,Misr University for Science and Technology

⁶ Pediatrics,National Nutrition Institute

10.21608/bnni.2017.4246

Abstract

Asthma is a disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person. Few studies had focused on the relationship between dietary patterns and asthma in children. The study aimed at finding relationship between dietary elements and some serum minerals and asthma in children. A total of 104 children attending the pediatric outpatient clinic of National Nutrition Institute in the age range from 7-10 years were included in the study. Data on nutrition, lifestyle and demography were collected. A Chinese version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to detect asthma. Data on nutritional status had been collected using specially designed questionnaires to cover required information on food intake and dietary pattern. Venous blood sample was collected for determination of serum levels of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) and Selenium (Se). The results revealed increased daily intake of energy sources (fats and carbohydrates) and decreased intake of animal proteins and fibers in asthmatic children compared to normal individuals in the study. The daily mineral intake of (Cu) and (Se) was higher and calcium, iodine, sodium, potassium and magnesium intake was lower in asthmatic children as compared to normal ones; while dietary intake of (Zn) and cholesterol was not changed. Anthropometric measurements showed that Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly higher in asthmatic children than in normal ones. Serum levels of (Cu), (Zn) and (Se) showed no difference between asthmatic and non-asthmatic individuals. Conclusion: the results suggest that a diet with a high intake of fat and carbohydrate and low intake of animal protein and fiber is associated with increased risk of asthma. Serum levels of Cu, Zn and Se showed no difference between asthmatic and normal children. The study also revealed that children with asthma are at higher risk of developing obesity.

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