Effect of zinc supplementation on development and growth of Chilean infants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on growth and development during infancy.


METHODS
We randomized 150 term neonates of low socioeconomic status to receive supplemental zinc 5 mg/d (SG) or a lactose placebo (PG); 112 completed a 1-year follow-up. All were breast-fed and given cow milk formula after weaning; solid foods and iron were added at 5 months. Anthropometry measured monthly, psychomotor development (PDI), mental development (MDI), and behavior including motor quality factor were assessed by Bayley Scales at 6 and 12 months. The groups were comparable in maternal characteristics, birth weight, home environment, and mother-infant interaction.


RESULTS
No effects of zinc on weight, length, and weight for length at 12 months were found controlling for sex and breast-feeding. The mean PDI (SG: 84.5 +/- 11.5 vs PG: 87.6 +/- 9.9) and MDI (90.9 +/- 10.5 vs 88.9 +/- 9.1) were similar; however, 46 of 52 infants in the PG scored <100 in MDI vs 42 of 57 in the SG (P <.05). A smaller proportion of the SG, 2 of 57, scored low in motor quality factor at 6 months compared with the PG, 8 of 52 (P =.02). The mean at 12 months for the SG was 31.9 +/- 2.8 and for the PG 30.8 +/- 2.9 (P <.05); zinc supplementation entered the multiple regression at 12 months (P =.037).


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc supplementation may have a beneficial effect on mental development and motor quality behavior of healthy term infants.
Castillo-Durán
C
C
Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Perales
C G
CG
Hertrampf
E D
ED
Marín
V B
VB
Rivera
F A
FA
Icaza
G
G
D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology
D015032:Zinc