Figure 1.

Flowchart of the cohort study: valid questionnaire information and medical records were complete for all children at various ages in the main box. The side box demonstrates the number of blood samples with 1 sample/child at each specific age period for the analysis of zinc and PBMC (peripheral mononuclear cell) isolation for the cytokine stimulation tests. Missing data: mostly because participants missed the clinical visit at that specific age period or clinical data (medical records and/or anthropometric measurements) were incomplete.