SUMMARY
Pathology of the upper digestive tract is the most common among gastroenterological diseases in children of different ages and is 48-50 %. Recently, there has been an increase in combined lesions of the esophagus and organs of the gastroduodenal zone. Currently, microelements are considered to play a role in the etiopathogenesis of the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.The aim of the work was to study zinc level in the blood of children with combined gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and chronic gastroduodenal pathology.Materials and methods. 110 children with combined GERD and lesions of the gastroduodenal zone at the age of 10–18 years were under observation. In order to verify the diagnosis, esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed. The level of zinc in the blood of children was studied using photometric method.Results. 52.5 % of children with concomitant GERD and chronic gastroduodenal pathologies had a reduced zinc level in the blood. According to the results of the study, the risk factors of zinc deficiency in children with combined pathology of the upper digestive tract include male sex, age older than 14 years, the duration of the disease longer than 3 years. The level of zinc in the blood of children was significantly reduced in destructive lesions of the esophagus, as well as with more pronounced inflammation of the gastric mucosa, in duodenitis and erosions in the duodenal bulb.Conclusions. Thus, the results of the study showed the importance of studying the level of zinc in the blood of patients with combined GERD and chronic gastroduodenal pathology to achieve positive changes by its correction. Zinc deficiency more often develops in boys over 14 year old, who has inflammatory changes of digestive tract.