Zinc supplements in breastfed infants.
Among breastfed infants, growth faltering in comparison with reference growth curves is common in both developing and developed countries. We performed a zinc supplementation trial in Paris, France, to find out whether such growth faltering is due to nutritional zinc deficiency. 57 breastfed infants aged 4-9 (mean 5.7) months were randomly assigned to receive either 5 mg zinc daily or a placebo for 3 months. Most of the infants were from low-income immigrant families and the majority were of African origin. Before supplementation there were no significant differences between the zinc and placebo groups in weight, length, or corresponding Z-scores for age. After 3 months' supplementation, the length-for-age Z-score had increased in the zinc group and fallen in the placebo group (+0.21 vs -0.13, p = 0.029). This difference was due mainly to greater linear growth of boys in the zinc than in the placebo group (6.0 vs 4.6 cm, p = 0.02). Weight gain was also significantly greater with zinc supplementation (1.64 vs 1.28 kg, p = 0.047). Among infants breastfed for longer than 4 months, decreases in growth velocity result partly from inadequate zinc intake.
Unité 1, INSERM, Paris, France.
P A
PA
Walravens
A
A
Chakar
R
R
Mokni
J
J
Denise
D
D
Lemonnier
D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency
D015032:Zinc