Impact of Zinc Deficiency on the Severity of Pneumonia in Pediatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Pneumonia remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite advances in vaccination, antimicrobial therapy, and supportive care, severe pneumonia continues to pose a major public health challenge. Identifying modifiable risk factors that influence disease severity is essential for developing more effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. Zinc is a vital trace element involved in numerous physiological processes, including immune response regulation, maintenance of epithelial barrier integrity, and antioxidant defense. Zinc deficiency impairs both innate and adaptive immune functions, thereby increasing susceptibility to infections, especially respiratory infections in children. The aim of this study was to describe serum zinc levels in children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia and to assess whether an association exists between zinc levels and clinical severity. A total of 44 patients were included in the analysis. The results showed that children with more severe pneumonia tended to have lower serum zinc levels, and these findings indicate an association rather than a causal relationship. These results suggest a potential link between zinc status and pneumonia severity; however, due to the cross-sectional design and the presence of unmeasured confounding factors, no causal interpretation can be made. Further large-scale, prospective studies are needed to clarify this relationship and to determine the clinical implications of zinc status in pediatric respiratory infections.