Effect of zinc supplementation on growth in West African children: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in rural Burkina Faso.
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the effects of zinc supplementation on growth parameters in a representative sample of young children in rural Burkina Faso. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy trial. Setting Eighteen villages in rural northwestern Burkina Faso. Subjects In all, 709 children aged 6-31 months were enrolled; 685 completed the trial. Intervention Supplementation with zinc (12.5 mg zinc sulphate) or placebo daily for 6 days a week for 6 months. Outcomes Weight, length/height, mid-arm circumference, and serum zinc.


RESULTS
In a representative subsample of study children, 72% were zinc-deficient at baseline. After supplementation, serum zinc increased in zinc-supplemented but not in control children of the subsample. No significant differences between groups were observed during follow-up regarding length/height, weight, mid-arm circumference, and z scores for height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that zinc supplementation does not have an effect of public health importance on growth in West African populations of young children with a high prevalence of malnutrition. Multinutrient interventions are likely to be more effective.
Müller
O
O
Department of Tropical Hygiene and Public Health, Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg, Medical School, Heidelberg, Germany. olaf.mueller@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
Garenne
M
M
Reitmaier
P
P
Van Zweeden
A Baltussen
AB
Kouyate
B
B
Becher
H
H
D000886:Anthropometry; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002050:Burkina Faso; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012423:Rural Health; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D015032:Zinc