zinc

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the drug utilization pattern and to assess the use of zinc in the management of acute diarrhoea in the Paediatrics department at a tertiary health care institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a Prospective hospital based study which was carried out in the Paediatrics Department at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati after obtaining permission from the Institutional Human Ethics Committee. About 80 prescriptions were analyzed during the study period of 6 months. All the patients of either sex (male/ Female) between 0-5years age who were coming to the Paediatrics department (outdoor and indoor) suffering from any type of diarrhoea and was prescribed different drugs were included in the study. Patients coming to the Paediatrics department not suffering from diarrhoea were excluded from our study. RESULTS: Out of 96 inpatients, 84 patients were admitted, cured and discharged, while 12 patients were seen as outdoor patient and were not admitted. No complication, deaths or ADR were reported during the hospital stay. Out of these, majority 51 (53.1%) were females. The mean age of the patients was 1.92 years. Most patients (59.4%) were between 1-3years of age. Majority 62.5% were suffered from acute watery diarrhea. Out of 96 patients, 33 (34.4%), 54 (56.2 %) and 9 (9.4%) were diagnosed with no, some and severe dehydration, respectively. No reports on routine examination and culture of stool were obtained. A total 312 drugs were prescribed in these inpatients. Out of the various drugs prescribed, 93 patients (96.9%) were prescribed rehydration fluids like ORS, 81 patients (84.4%) were given intravenous fluids. Other frequently prescribed drugs were Zinc to 96 patients (100 %) followed by antimicrobials in 39 patients (40.6%) and probiotics in only 3 patient (3.1%).Only Two different antimicrobials were prescribed; among these ceftriaxone (30) was the most prescribed followed by metronidazole (9). Out of the 312 formulations prescribed, 102 (32.7%) were oral formulations and 210 (67.3%) were intravenous injections. The mean number of drugs prescribed per patient was 3.25 (range 1 to 4). Regarding utilization of zinc preparations; they were prescribed in 100 % inpatients as monotherapy (mostly zinc gluconate) regardless of any age or any type of diarrhoea. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggested that there is a relatively rational approach to oral and parenteral rehydration therapy, antimicrobials and FDC.

Assessment of serum liver enzyme and trace element levels was carried out in a total of hundred (100) subjects comprising seventy (70) sickle cell disease patients attending Madani learning hospital comparatively with thirty (30) apparently healthy persons as control subjects. Blood samples were collected from participants, they were analyzed for trace elements using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The enzymes activities for serum glutamic oxaloacetic transamineses (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminases (SGPT), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured using the kinetic tests depending on the reaction with the substrates (2.4-dinitrophenylhydrazine and P. Nitro phenyl). The mean serum level of Magnesium, Zinc, in sickle cell disease patients were 13.1000 ± 1.89 mg/L, 0.40883 ± 0.095 mg/L respectively . Serum magnesium, zinc levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in sickle cell disease patients when compared with the control. While liver enzymes were in a significant difference (P<0.01). SGOT reported low activity while ALP reported higher activity between the study groups. Serum trace elements levels was not age or sex dependent, as similar pattern of serum trace elements was observed in both male and female sickle cell disease patients. The age and sex distribution for SCD patients indicated tremendous increases in the number and percentage of the disease among males and females in the age between 2-9 years (66.7%, 57.5%) respectively. Seventy (70) patients with homozygous sickle cell (SS) disease, with both sexes. Their age ranged between 6 months to 17 years. Thirty persons (30) were used as control. Freshly obtained blood samples from patients and control were used to estimate biochemical parameters which include; liver function test (SGOT & SGPT and alkaline phosphatase), and trace element (Zinc, Magnesium). Different analytical (colorimetri, spectrophotomer) methods were used to determine biochemical parameters indicated above. Serum tracee