The Effect of Zinc as Adjunct Therapy in the Treatment of Pneumonia in Hospitalized Children

Background: Pneumonia, an inflammation of the parenchyma of the lungs, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood globally, rivaling diarrhea as a cause of death in developing countries.
Objective: To determine the effect of zinc as adjunct therapy in treating pneumonia in hospitalized children.
Patients and Methods:  Clinical trial randomized study conducted in pediatric word at AL-Zahraa teaching hospital between 1st of January of 2024 through 10th of March 2025, 124 children aged 6-36 months with diagnosis of pneumonia according to WHO were randomly assigned into two groups control group (84 patients) who receive only antibiotic and study group (40 patients) who receive (10 mg orally for children age 6-12month and 20 mg orally for older) until discharge or maximum 14 days plus standard antibiotic treatment, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry, temperature and CXR(if suspected complication) done in both groups.
Result: The study revealed that there is a significant association between zinc administration and decreased risk of treatment failure (so only 5% failure of treatment among the study group, while 19% in the control group), with a p value (0.038 (secondary outcome). The zinc recipient has a shorter period of IV fluid and earlier improvement in feeding and oral fluid intake with p-value (0.006). Also, zinc recipient has a shorter period of hospitalization and recover faster. Still, this difference is not statistically significant (primary outcome).
Conclusion: Using zinc as adjunct therapy reduces the risk of treatment failure in hospitalized children diagnosed with pneumonia and a period of IV fluid therapy, with more rapid improvement in milk feeding and oral fluid intake.