Efficacy of zinc towards the outcome on children with sepsis: A randomized controlled trial

Sepsis is caused by a regulated immune system responding to infection, threatening organ function and survival rate. Previous research has demonstrated that a zinc deficiency can alter the immune system and reduce the risk of infection. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of zinc supplementation in children with sepsis. This study was a randomized controlled trial with parallel design and double blind that compared the efficacy of standard therapy with zinc to placebo in children with sepsis. This evaluation lasted ten days and was concluded. Level of awareness, duration of mechanical ventilator use, P/F ratio, Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP), serum leukocytes and platelets, C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and procalcitonin levels, lactate levels, sepsis progression, and patient mortality are among the clinical and laboratory parameters assessed. Statistical analysis was undertaken using the Mann-Whitney, Chi-Squared, and Mc-Nemar tests.  There was no significant difference in the major parameters between the two groups. There were significant differences in lactate levels and MAP changes in zinc group compared to the placebo group (p .01). The test results range from multivariate to clinical criteria. Zinc group on day 11 differs significantly of MAP changes (p=0.018; OR 5.494, 95% CI 1.249-24.166).  Zinc therapy had no significant effect on the level of consciousness of pediatric patient with sepsis. However, the proportion of patients with normal MAP was increased. The proportion of patients with high CRP levels also decreased, as did the incidence of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI).