Impact of zinc supplementation on subsequent growth and morbidity in Bangladeshi children with acute diarrhoea

Eur J Clin Nutr. 1999 Jul;53(7):529-34. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600734.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of zinc supplementation during acute diarrhoea on subsequent growth and morbidity in malnourished young children.

Design: Double blind randomized controlled clinical trial

Setting: International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh.

Subjects: Sixty-five children aged 3-24 months with acute diarrhoea for less than 3 d.

Intervention: Either elemental zinc (20 mg/d) in a multivitamin syrup or multivitamin syrup alone divided in three divided daily doses for a period of two weeks. Children were followed up weekly at home to assess subsequent growth and morbidity for a period of eight weeks.

Main outcome measures: Gain in length and body weight and reduction in diarrhoea and respiratory tract infection.

Results: During the follow-up, zinc supplemented children showed significantly greater cumulative length gain (18.9 mm vs 14.5 mm, P <0.03) and comparable body weight gain than the children of the control group. Subsequent length gain was not correlated with initial height in the zinc-supplemented group (r=-0.13), P = 0.5), but was significantly correlated in the control group (r = -0.6, P < 0.0007). Zinc-supplemented and stunted children (< or = 90% length for age n = 18) experienced significantly fewer episodes of diarrhoea (0.07 vs 0.6, P < 0.05) and respiratory illness (1.0 vs 2.4, P < 0.01) compared to the control group. The underweight children (< or = 71% weight/age n = 38) receiving zinc-supplementation also had fewer episodes of diarrhoea (0.4 vs 1.0, P<0.04) and shorter duration of diarrhoeal episodes (1.0 vs 3.0d, P<0.04) compared to their counterparts in the control group.

Conclusion: These results suggest that a short course of zinc supplementation to malnourished children during acute diarrhoea reduces growth-faltering and diarrhoeal and respiratory morbidity during subsequent two months.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Bangladesh
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diarrhea / complications
  • Diarrhea / drug therapy*
  • Diarrhea / physiopathology
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Growth / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Nutrition Disorders / complications
  • Nutrition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / etiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections / prevention & control
  • Weight Gain / drug effects
  • Zinc / administration & dosage
  • Zinc / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Zinc