Zinc and Micronutrient Supplementation to Reduce Diarrhea and Respiratory Disease in South African Children
Author Information
Author(s): Luabeya Kany-Kany Angelique, Mpontshane Nontobeko, Mackay Malanie, Ward Honorine, Elson Inga, Chhagan Meera, Tomkins Andrew, den Broeck Jan Van, Bennish Michael L.
Primary Institution: Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies, University of KwaZulu Natal, Somkhele, South Africa
Hypothesis
Does zinc, or zinc plus multiple micronutrients, reduce diarrhea and respiratory disease prevalence in children?
Conclusion
Supplementation with zinc, or with zinc and multiple micronutrients, did not reduce diarrhea and respiratory morbidity in rural South African children.
Supporting Evidence
- Zinc deficiency is common in children in developing countries.
- Previous studies in Asia and Latin America found that zinc reduces diarrhea and pneumonia.
- This study found no significant difference in diarrhea or respiratory illness between treatment groups.
Takeaway
The study tested if giving zinc and other vitamins to kids could help them get sick less often, but it didn't work.
Methodology
Randomized, double-blind, controlled trial with three treatment arms: vitamin A alone, vitamin A plus zinc, and vitamin A plus multiple micronutrients.
Potential Biases
No evidence of bias in assignment to treatment group was found.
Limitations
Enrollment of HIV-infected children was much smaller than planned, limiting conclusions about efficacy in this cohort.
Participant Demographics
Participants included HIV-infected children and HIV-uninfected children born to both HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected mothers.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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