title: Zinc supplementation, mental development and behaviour in low birth weight term infants in northeast Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test whether zinc supplementation reduces the deficits in mental development and behaviour that are found in term infants of low birth weight in the study population.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective double-blind, part-randomised efficacy trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  A low-income population in Pernambuco, northeast Brazil, where the economy is largely dependent on sugar-cane production, and where over 90% of deliveries occur in health facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  During a 20-month period, all singleton, term infants weighing 1500-2499 g born to families of low income ( < US $280/month) were enrolled at birth (n = 205). At 6 and 12-months, the numbers tested were 163 and 138 respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Infants born from January 1993-January 1994 were randomly assigned to receive daily, except Sundays, a placebo (n = 66) or 1 mg zinc (n = 68). Those born February-August 1994 were given 5 mg zinc (n = 71). Supplementation was for eight weeks, starting at birth. Field workers visited each infant at home to administer the supplement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 and 12-months, mental and psychomotor development was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development and no significant differences in the scores of the three groups were found. At 12-months, behaviour was also assessed on 5 ratings. Ratings were highest in infants given 5 mg zinc (P = 0.042).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zinc supplementation (5 mg/d) for eight weeks may reverse some of the poor behaviours, particularly responsiveness, exhibited by low birth weight infants. No amelioration of their mental and psychomotor deficits was found.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Human Nutrition, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ashworth
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: P I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Lira
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Grantham-McGregor
mesh_terms: D001519:Behavior; D001938:Brazil; D002657:Child Development; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D008606:Mental Processes; D011203:Poverty; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc