Status of Serum Trace Elements among Preschool Children in Rural Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Abstract

One in every three malnourished children in the world is from India leading to high child morbidity and mortality. Out of these, preschool children constitute the most vulnerable segment of any community. The present study aimed at assessing the levels of trace elements in preschool children aged 2-5 years in rural Gram Panchayats (GP) of Bhubaneswar block, Odisha, India. A cross-sectional study was undertaken covering 176 children (boys 100 and girls 76) from 8 GPs selected on random basis. Blood was collected and lyophilized serum subjected to trace elements by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. Overall, the mean levels of manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), bromine (Br) and lead (Pb) were 19.2±3.39, 0.86±0.52, 3.2±0.9, 4.04±0.87, 15.26±2.27, 1.03±0.95, 59.95±6.55 and 0.29±0.66 ppm respectively. The concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cu and Br were increased significantly with age, while levels of Co, Zn, Se, and Pb showed random variations. The mean Co, Ni, Cu, Se, Pb and Br levels were found to be higher among boys than girls however, only Cu and Br found to be significantly high. There were significant correlations observed between some of elements (Mn-Br, Co-Ni, Ni-Cu, Ni-Br, Cu-Zn and Cu-Br) and Se levels negatively associated with Pb. The mean concentrations obtained for most trace elements with an exception of Mn were within the ranges reported by earlier studies.