Asia Pacific Journal Paediatric and Child Health, Volume 3, Jul - Sep 2020
Correlation between Serum Zinc Levels and Severity of Atopic Dermatitis
Debby Andina Landiasari 1 , Diah Lintang Kawuryan 1 , Dwi Hidayah 1
ABSTRACT:
Background: Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease commonly found in children with unknown etiology. Zinc is an important element that plays a major role in the immune system. The effect of zinc deficiency can be detrimental because it affects the growth and function of immune cells. Zinc deficiency is also believed to be one of the causes of severe atopic dermatitis.
Objective: To investigate the correlation between zinc deficiency and severity of atopic dermatitis in children.
Methods: An analytical observational study was performed using a cross-sectional approach. The study involved children with atopic dermatitis aged 2-5 years who visited Pediatric Allergy-Immunology Clinic and Dermatology and Venereology Clinic of Dr. Moewardi Hospital, Surakarta between January to December 2019.
Results: The incidence of zinc levels of 70 mcg/dl found to be more common in children with mild (76.5%) and moderate (23.5%) atopic dermatitis. The contingency coefficient test results showed a coefficient value of rk = 0.629 indicating that there is a strong correlation between zinc levels and the degree of atopic dermatitis and the lack of serum zinc levels increases the risk of severe atopic dermatitis. The p value of <0.001 (p <0.05) translates to a significant correlation between zinc levels and the degree of atopic dermatitis.
Conclusion: There was a strong correlation (rk = 0.629) between zinc levels and the severity of atopic dermatitis which was statistically significant (p <0.05). The lower the zinc level, the more severe the atopic dermatitis severity.
Keywords: atopic dermatitis, scorad, zinc deficiency
Author’s Affiliation: 1- Pediatric Allergy-Immunology Subdivision, Departement of Child Health, Medical Faculty of Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta.
Correspondence: Debby Andina Landiasari, Email: debbyandina@ymail.com