Question

Shelly, an eight-year-old child from a low-income family, is displaying symptoms such as growth failure, diarrhea, and pneumonia. Which of the following is Shelly most likely suffering from?
a. Iron deficiency
b. Folate deficiency
c. Iodine deficiency
d. Vitamin A deficiency
e. Zinc deficiency

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answer is e.

Explanation:

Zinc is an essential intracellular trace element most abundant in the human body, which participates in important structural and catalytic regulatory functions, it is an integral part of many tissues, being essential for the synthesis of biomolecules such as DNA and proteins, as well as for degradation of the same. The deficiencies of any nutrient may be due to a decrease in its intake, an increase in the body's needs and therefore, its requirements, or a decrease in the bioavailability of the nutrient due to the way in which it is found in food. Zinc deficiency causes multisystemic, sometimes fatal, manifestations if not detected and corrected early. Symptoms of severe zinc deficiency are slowing or disruption of growth and development, delayed sexual maturation, characteristic skin rashes, chronic and severe diarrhea, impaired immune system, poor wound healing, loss of appetite, decreased sensitivity to the touch, night blindness, inflammation, opacity of the corneas and behavioral problems.