Oxidant-Antioxidant Balance and Trace Elements in Children with Functional Dyspepsia

Abstract

Objective: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is the most common functional abdominal pain disorder among children and adolescents according to the Rome IV criteria. The aim of the study was to determine the possible effect of the equilibrium of oxidant and antioxidant and trace elements in pediatric FD. Material and Methods: The patient group consisted of 23 children who were diagnosed with FD according to the Rome IV Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Disorders. The control group consisted of 23 children aged 11-17 who did not meet the Rome IV criteria and had no chronic disease. Measurements of zinc, copper levels and recently developed new generation oxidant-antioxidant balance markers were performed spectrophotometrically using a commercial kit. Routinely measured hemogram and vitamin B12 and vitamin D test results were obtained from the patient files retrospectively. Results: In comparison of the control group, the pediatric FD group had significantly higher levels of oxidized thiol, ischemia-modified albumin, neutrophil and neutrophil/lymphocyte, a significantly lower lymphocyte count and reduced thiol ratio, and significantly lower vitamin D, native thiol, and copper levels. Conclusion: FD is potentially related to inflammation, serum copper content, and oxidative stress. However, the relationship between FD and inflammation, copper levels, and oxidative stress has not been adequately investigated in children. As a conclusion of this clinical trial, thiol balance, ischemia modified albumin, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, vitamin D and copper content will likely be essential for diagnosis and follow-up in pediatric FD