Short-term supplementation with zinc and vitamin A has no significant effect on the growth of undernourished Bangladeshi children.
BACKGROUND
Several vitamin A supplementation trials have failed to improve the growth rate in children. Addition of zinc to vitamin A might result in enhanced growth.


OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the effect on growth in children of simultaneous supplementation with zinc and vitamin A.


METHODS
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial. Six hundred fifty-three children aged 12-35 mo were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 intervention groups: 20 mg Zn/d for 14 d (Z group), 60000 retinol equivalents (200000 IU) vitamin A on day 14 (A group), zinc plus vitamin A (ZA group), or placebo syrup and placebo capsule (placebo group). Weight and length were measured at enrollment and again after 3 and 6 mo.


RESULTS
Gains in weight and length during the 6-mo follow-up period were not significantly different among the 4 groups by analysis of variance. Catch-up growth also did not differ significantly among the groups. The proportions of children whose weight-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 57% in the Z group, 46% in the A group, 50% in the ZA group, and 54% in the placebo group (NS). The proportions of children whose length-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 42% in the Z group, 48% in the A group, 53% in the ZA group, and 46% in the placebo group (NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Combined short-term zinc supplementation and a single dose of vitamin A has no significant effects on weight and length increments in children over a 6-mo period.
Rahman
Mohammad M
MM
International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Dhaka, Bangladesh. mijib_99@yahoo.com
Tofail
Fahmida
F
Wahed
Mohammad A
MA
Fuchs
George J
GJ
Baqui
Abdullah H
AH
Alvarez
Jose O
JO
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001459:Bangladesh; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011204:Poverty Areas; D014505:Urban Population; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014801:Vitamin A; D015032:Zinc