title: Zinc supplementation and growth of infants born small for gestational age.
abstract: To analyze the effect of zinc supplementation on postnatal growth of infants born small for gestational age, we selected 68 infants at birth and followed them monthly for 6 months. They were randomly assigned to a supplemented group (group S, n = 35) receiving 3 mg of Zn (acetate) per day, or to a placebo (group P, n = 33), in a double-blind study. Weight increments in group S were significantly higher than those in group P at 2 months (p < 0.003); z scores showed catch-up growth only in group S. Length increments were also greater in group S than in group P, ending at 6 months were 64.9 +/- 1.8 versus 63.4 +/- 3.5 cm (mean +/- SD; p < 0.01); changes in z scores for 6 months were -1.28 to -0.66 in group S and -1.43 to -1.47 in group P (p < 0.001). Weight-for-length improved similarly in both groups (z score, -2.2 to +0.2). The increase in weight-for-age was higher in group S girls (p < 0.034), ending at 6 months with -0.13 +/- 0.59, versus -0.52 +/- 0.62 in group S boys, -1.15 +/- 0.49 in group P girls, and -1.05 +/- 0.80 in group P boys (+/- SD). More infants in group P received cow milk-based formula before 4 months because of inadequate weight increments. An additive effect on weight increase was observed between Zn supplementation (p < 0.02), exclusive breast-feeding after 4 months of age (p < 0.001), and gender (p < 0.02). Plasma and hair Zn values showed a downward trend, less marked in group S than in group P. We conclude that Chilean infants born small for gestational age have better weight and linear growth during the first 6 months of life if they receive Zn supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Concepción, Chile.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castillo-Durán
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Venegas
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Icaza
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019342:Acetic Acid; D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D015032:Zinc; D019342:Acetic Acid