The effect of zinc supplementation on parasitic reinfestation of Guatemalan schoolchildren.
One hundred thirty children (65-95 mo old) from a low-socioeconomic neighborhood of Guatemala City participated in a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of zinc supplementation. One group received 10 mg Zn/d (n = 65) and the other group received a placebo (n = 65); 90 +/- 9.2 doses were given over 120-150 d. Stools were examined for prevalence and intensity of helminths and prevalence of protozoa at the beginning and end of the study. The initial prevalence was 42% for helminths and 18% for protozoa, with no differences between groups. Mebendazole was administered to all children, and protozoal infections were treated specifically at the beginning of the study. The reinfection rates were 17% (11 of 65) for helminths and 12.3% (8 of 65) for protozoa in the zinc group and 15% (10 of 65) and 10.7% (7 of 65), respectively, in the placebo group (P > 0.05). Analysis by specific parasites revealed no treatment effect. We conclude that neither plasma or hair zinc status nor oral zinc supplementation had an effect on parasite status in children.
Grazioso
C F
CF
Center for Studies of Sensory Impairment, Aging and Metabolism, National Committee for the Blind and Deaf, Guatemala City, Guatemala.
Isalgué
M
M
de Ramírez
I
I
Ruz
M
M
Solomons
N W
NW
D000818:Animals; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006166:Guatemala / Q000453:epidemiology; D006197:Hair / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008463:Mebendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008463:Mebendazole; D015032:Zinc