Role of zinc supplementation in the rehabilitation of severely malnourished children.
A double-blind study was conducted to assess the role of zinc supplementation in the rehabilitation of severely malnourished children. Thirty-three children with severe protein-energy malnutrition received either 40 mg of zinc as zinc sulphate or a placebo during their rehabilitation in addition to the diet containing about 700 kJ and 3-4 g protein per kg body weight/day. Their clinical and biochemical responses were examined. Clinical response and serum albumin synthesis were found to be similar in both the groups. The leukocyte (micrograms/10(10) cells) and plasma zinc levels (micrograms/dl) showed a significant (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01) increase from 46.9 +/- 5.490 to 107.2 +/- 13.224 and 80.4 +/- 9.972 to 107.5 +/- 11.822, respectively, after zinc supplementation. The placebo group also showed a significant (P < 0.025) increase in leukocyte zinc from 45.7 +/- 4.409 to 70.9 +/- 8.414. However, the plasma zinc in the placebo group fell from 83.6 +/- 10.363 to 68.2 +/- 7.031. Plasma copper showed a significant improvement in both zinc supplemented (P < 0.01) and placebo (P < 0.025) groups. The results indicate that zinc supplementation along with the diet would result in rapid restoration of zinc status, though there is no effect on the weight gain or other responses.
Hemalatha
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P
National Institute of Nutrition, Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad.
Bhaskaram
P
P
Khan
M M
MM
D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007732:Kwashiorkor / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy; D008297:Male; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000187:drug effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc