الفهرس 
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Abstract
Introduction: Zinc is one of the essential trace elements and a member of the major micronutrients that are very important to human nutrition. Zinc deficiency in children is an important public health problem in developing countries and associated with increased incidence and prevalence of infections. Aim of work: To study parasitic infections in relation to zinc deficiency in children. Subjects and methods: The study included 43 child. History was taken lying stress on symptoms suggesting parasitic infection. Then they divided into two groups (according to their weight) well-nourished infected control and malnourished. Stool examination was done by using direct smear method, formaline ether concentration technique, standard method for counting number of cysts and Harada-Mori technique for stool culture. Trichrome staining and modified Zeihl-Neelsen staining techniques were also used. The serum of the children was examined for the level of zinc. Results:- This study revealed that Entamoeba histolytica was the commonest parasite among both groups. The second was Giardia lamblia cyst. -As regard the serum zinc level in the well-nourished group was significantly higher than the serum zinc level in the malnourished group. - Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia intensities of infection were higher in malnourished group, but no significant difference in the intensity between normal zinc group and deficient zinc group. Conclusion: - Entamoeba and Giardia infections were prevalent among both groups. - Zinc deficiency was frequent among children with diarrhea. - Correlation between intensity of parasites and zinc level showed insignificant negative correlation. Intensity of parasitic infections is affected mainly by nutritional status rather than zinc deficiency alone. Recommendation: Improvement of nutrition in children is essential line in parasitic infection treatment. Zinc supplementation for children.