Zinc levels in HIV-positive children at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital

Background: Zinc is an abundant trace element in the body involved in many physiological processes. Its deficiency has been described in HIV-infected children, especially in advancing illness. This study, therefore, seeks to assess zinc levels in HIV-positive children attending the HIV clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study among HIV-positive children aged 5–60 months attending the HIV clinic at UNTH. A 100 participants were enrolled from August 2013 to May 2014. Data were obtained using a pro forma developed by researchers, and blood samples were collected and analysed using an absorption spectrophotometer. Serum zinc level deficiency was defined as the values