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Impact of zinc supplementation on diarrheal morbidity and growth pattern of low birth weight infants in Kolkata, India: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, community-based study
- Source :
- Pediatrics. Dec, 2003, Vol. 112 Issue 6, p1327, 6 p.
- Publication Year :
- 2003
-
Abstract
- Objective. To assess the impact of zinc supplementation on diarrheal morbidity and growth pattern of low birth weight (LBW) infants. Methodology. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, community-based study conducted in the Tiljala slum of eastern Kolkata, India, between 1999 and 2001, a birth cohort of 100 LBW infants was randomly allocated into either an intervention group receiving 1 mL daily dose of 5 mg of elemental zinc as zinc sulfate in vitamin B complex-based syrup or a placebo group receiving an identical placebo of 1 mL of vitamin-based syrup from birth up to 1 completed year of age. Active weekly surveillance was conducted for detection of diarrhea. Anthropometric measurements of each child were recorded once every month as close to the child&apos;s birth date as possible. Data were analyzed by using statistical software packages SPSSPC+ 4.0 (SPSS, Inc, Chicago, IL) and Epi Info 6.0 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA). Results. Among the zinc-supplemented group, diarrheal incidence of 1.36 episodes per child per year were observed, whereas it was 1.93 episodes per child per year among the placebo group, giving a relative risk of 1.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-2.00). Linear growth and weight for age showed significant differences between the supplemented and placebo groups only at the end of 1 year. Interestingly, the impact of zinc supplementation was masked to a large extent by the protective action of breastfeeding. Conclusions. The study showed that zinc supplementation had a beneficial impact on the incidence of diarrhea and also weight gain among LBW infants. Pediatrics 2003;112:1327-1332; low birth weight, zinc supplementation, diarrhea, nutrition, breastfeeding.<br />The role of zinc in human nutrition is being increasingly highlighted after recent advances in biomedical research. Zinc as a micronutrient contributes greatly to healthy growth and development, especially of [...]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00314005
- Volume :
- 112
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- Gale General OneFile
- Journal :
- Pediatrics
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsgcl.111932579