(P30-024-23) Association Between Zinc Status and Inflammation in Children and Adolescents: NHANES 2015-2016

Objectives: The study aimed to assess zinc status and levels of inflammation (measured as CRP and WBCs) in U.S. children and adolescents aged 2-19 years.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2015 to 2016. A total of 3563 participants were included. All data were analyzed with SPSS. General Linear Regression using the sampling weights (WTDR2D) was run. Multiple Linear Regression Modeling and Best Subsets Regression were developed. Stratified analyses by biomarkers were conducted to assess any interactions among variables. Inferential statistic (p < 0.05) was used to assess the significance.

Results: Out of 3563 participants, 49.4 % were male, and 50.6% were female. An average of 89% with good health status, 60.6% with normal BMI, and 86% had normal serum zinc levels. An inverse correlation between serum zinc, zinc intake, and inflammation were noted (p = 0.008,0.023 with WBC and p = 0.004,0.307 with CRP respectively). Overall, the most significant predictors of inflammation and Cd toxicity were serum zinc levels, BMI, ethnicity, and current health status (all p < 0.000).

Conclusions: Serum zinc is the best predictor variable for both inflammatory biomarkers, WBC& hs-CRP. The association of zinc intake and zinc supplements with hs-CRP and WBC was weak and inconsistent. However, this study is limited by the specific age group and small sample size. The results will be validated soon by using a lab experimental model and by using the Children-Dietary Inflammatory Index (C-DII) to uncover the influence of zinc, diet, and Cd exposures on the inflammatory response. This relationship warrants further investigation to address the effect of zinc status and inflammation in the pediatric population.

Funding Sources: Florida International University
Jazan University