Zinc supplementation, morbidity and growth in stunted Jamaican children

ABSTRACT

We investigated whether there was a morbidity or growth response to zinc supplementation of nutrition clinic attenders in Kingston, which would indicate zinc deficiency. Children selected were singletons aged 6 to 24 months and stunted (<2.0 sd length for age, NCHS references). They were stratified by gender and age (6-11, 12-17, 18-24 mo.) and randomly assigned to receive zinc supplementation (n=31) (5mg elemental zinc), or placebo (n=30) daily for 12 weeks. Adequately nourished comparison children (n=24) were recruited from a well-baby clinic. Caretakers were interviewed to obtain social background data. Anthropometric measurements were done on enrolment and after 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 12 months. A weekly questionnaire to determine the stunted children's health was given to the caretakers during the supplementation period. The zinc supplemented and placebo groups were very similar on enrolment. The adequately nourished children were significantly better socio-economic circumstances. Five placebo children, but no zinc supplemented children, were hospitalized during the supplemented period (Fisher's exact test, two-tailed, p=0.02), indicating reduced severity of illness with supplementation, which suggests a response to zinc deficiency. There were no significant differences in hair zinc content among the three groups. Regression analyses showed that there were no significant effects of supplementation of length, height or head circumference, or on the incidence of any symptom. Mean duration of the episodes were significantly shorter for skin rashes in the supplemented group compared with the placebo group (ANCOVA, P=0.02), and longer for vomiting (ANCOVA, p=0.02).(AU)