Mean Duration of Measles Pneumonia in Children Receiving Conventional Treatment with Zinc Supplements

Faryal Ali; Sadaf Ibrahim; Awais ul Hassan Shah; Tuba Ahmed; Aimen Niazi; Maliha Rahman

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i3.2575

Authors

Faryal Ali Paediatric Department, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Sadaf Ibrahim Paediatric Department, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Awais ul Hassan Shah Paediatric Department, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Tuba Ahmed Paediatric Department, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Aimen Niazi Paediatric Department, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan
Maliha Rahman Paediatric Department, Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i3.2575

Keywords:

Measles pneumonia, disease’s duration, conventional treatment with zinc supplement.

Abstract

Background: Measles infection causing measles pneumonia among children is severe complication and significantly contributes to higher rate of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries. Conventional treatment with zinc supplementation considered as adjunct therapy, potentially reducing the severity and duration of infection due to immunomodulatory properties and role in enhancing respiratory epithelial integrity. Objective: The present study aimed to assess mean duration of measles-associated pneumonia in children receiving conventional treatment supplemented with zinc. Methodology: A cross-sectional comparative study investigated 120 children diagnosed of measles-associated pneumonia in the Pediatric Department of Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Peshawar from March 2024 to December 2024. Children aged 8 months to 10 years of either gender diagnosed of measles-associated pneumonia included. All the children randomly assigned to two groups: Group-I (zinc sulphate) and Group-II (Placebo or control). On daily basis, patients were assessed for fever, tachypnea, rash, and other findings. Baseline details, disease’s duration, and hospital stay recorded on pre-designed proforma. SPSS v28 used for data analysis. Results: The overall mean age was 20.68±4.82 months (8 months to 10 years). Out of 120 children, there were 44 (36.7%) female and 76 (63.3%) male. Mean weight of the children was 9.82±1.64 Kg. The frequency of fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated were 16 (13.3%), 28 (23.3%), and 76 (63.3%), respectively. Mean duration of hospital stay was 3.26±1.2 days (1-12 days). The mean duration of measles-associated pneumonia in Group-I (zinc supplement) and Group-II (placebo) was 4.89 ± 0.43 days and 6.56 ± 0.56 days, respectively. Conclusion: The present study found that administration of oral zinc during pneumonia significantly improves outcomes by shortening the duration of the disease. A prior history of measles vaccination was associated with better clinical outcomes in affected children.

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