Hypozincaemia is associated with severity of aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage: a retrospective cohort study

Background Hypozincaemia may develop in critically ill patients, including those with acute brain injury in the early phase after hospital admission. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hypozincaemia after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) and its association with delayed cerebral ischemia and functional outcome. Methods We retrospectively analysed a cohort of 384 patients with SAH admitted to the Neurointensive Care Unit at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark, in whom at least one measurement of plasma zinc concentration was done during the hospital stay. Hypozincaemia was defined as at least one measurement of plasma zinc below 10 μmol/L. Potential associations between hypozincaemia, demographic variables and functional outcome after aSAH were analysed in multivariable logistic regression models. Results Hypozincaemia was observed in 67% ( n = 257) of all patients and occurred within 7 days in more than 95% of all hypozincaemic patients. In a multivariable model, severe SAH (WFNS 3–5; OR 4.2, CI 2.21–8.32, p