A Question Mark on Emerging Zinc-Related Nutritional Deficiencies in Pakistani Population

Abstract

Micronutrient deficiencies, often referred to as “hidden hunger,” are a critically significant, though often an imperceptible form of malnutrition1 in various population segments of developing countries such as Pakistan. Zinc, a trace element, is a key component for the effective functioning of nearly 300 metalloenzymes, as well as having roles in metabolism mechanisms of DNA and RNA, immune response mechanisms, signal transduction, cell division, and gene expression.2,3 Zinc deficiency in pregnant women, if untreated, can have significant negative pregnancy outcomes and linear growth problems for children, such as premature delivery, childhood diarrhea–associated morbidity, acute lower respiratory tract infections, stunting, wasting, and underweight children.

Keywords Micronutrient, Hidden hunger, Underweight children, DNA and RNA, Premature delivery.