Maternal gestational zinc supplementation does not influence multiple aspects of child development at 54 mo of age in Peru.
BACKGROUND
Zinc is necessary for central nervous system development, and maternal zinc status has been associated with developmental differences in offspring.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to evaluate differences in cognitive, social, and behavioral function in Peruvian children at 54 mo of age whose mothers participated during pregnancy in a zinc supplementation trial.


METHODS
We attempted to follow up 205 children from a prenatal zinc supplementation trial and present data on 184 (90%) children-86 whose mothers took 25 mg zinc/d in addition to 60 mg iron and 250 microg folic acid and 98 whose mothers took iron and folic acid only. Following a standardized protocol, we assessed children's intelligence, language and number skills, representational ability, interpersonal understanding, and adaptive behavior and behavioral adjustment. We also assessed aspects of the mother (eg, age, education, verbal intelligence, stresses, and social support in parenting) and the home environment [HOME (Home Observation for the Measurement of the Environment) inventory].


RESULTS
No differences were observed between any of the tests used to characterize cognitive, social, or behavioral development (P > 0.05). Child sex, parity, or treatment compliance did not modify the effects of supplementation on any outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
The addition of zinc to prenatal supplements did not influence developmental outcomes in Peruvian children when assessed at 4.5 y of age.
Caulfield
Laura E
LE
Department of International Health, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA. lcaulfie@jhsph.edu
Putnick
Diane L
DL
Zavaleta
Nelly
N
Lazarte
Fabiola
F
Albornoz
Carla
C
Chen
Ping
P
Dipietro
Janet A
JA
Bornstein
Marc H
MH
D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005296:Ferrous Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007804:Language Development; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010568:Peru; D011247:Pregnancy; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D005296:Ferrous Compounds; C020748:ferrous sulfate; D005492:Folic Acid; D015032:Zinc