Vitamin A and Zinc Help Reduce Malaria in Children
Author Information
Author(s): Zeba Augustin N, Sorgho Hermann, Rouamba Noël, Zongo Issiaka, Rouamba Jeremie, Guiguemdé Robert T, Hamer Davidson H, Mokhtar Najat, Ouedraogo Jean-Bosco
Primary Institution: Institut de recherche en sciences de la santé (IRSS), Burkina Faso
Hypothesis
Combined supplementation with vitamin A and zinc would decrease morbidity due to P. falciparum malaria.
Conclusion
Combined vitamin A plus zinc supplementation reduces the risk of fever and clinical malaria episodes among children.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence of malaria was significantly lower in the supplemented group (34% vs. 3.5%).
- Malaria episodes were lower in the supplemented group (p = 0.029).
- Time to first malaria episode was longer in the supplemented group (p = 0.015).
- The supplemented group had 22% fewer fever episodes than the placebo group (p = 0.030).
Takeaway
Giving kids vitamin A and zinc together can help them get sick less often from malaria.
Methodology
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 150 children aged 6 to 72 months receiving either vitamin A and zinc or placebo for six months.
Potential Biases
Potential underestimation of the true effect due to differences in past malaria exposure between groups.
Limitations
Imbalance at randomization between the two study arms, with the supplemented group having more children parasitemic at baseline.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 6 to 72 months from Sourkoudougou village, Burkina Faso.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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