title: Short-term zinc supplementation with dispersible tablets or zinc sulfate solution yields similar positive effects on plasma zinc concentration of young children in Burkina Faso: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess zinc absorption from dispersible tablets by investigating the effects of short-term zinc supplementation, provided either as zinc (Zn) sulfate dispersible tablets or solution, on changes in plasma Zn concentration in young children.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized, partially-masked, placebo-controlled trial in 451 children 6 to 23 months of age in Burkina Faso, randomly assigned to receive a dispersible tablet containing 5 mg Zn, a Zn solution containing 5 mg Zn/5 mL, or a placebo solution, daily for 3 weeks. The main outcome measure was change in plasma zinc concentration after supplementation compared with baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean plus or minus SD change in plasma Zn concentration (μg/dL) was significantly greater in both Zn supplemented groups (tablets: 16.9±13.1μg/dL, liquid: 16.6±14.2 μg/dL), compared with the placebo group (0.2±10.9 μg/dL; P<.001, ANOVA). In both Zn supplemented groups, but not in the placebo group, change in plasma Zn concentration was progressively less with increasing age in months (-0.79 μg/dL/mo and -1.15 μg/dL/mo, respectively; P<.001); this effect did not differ in the Zn supplemented groups (P=.18).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term supplementation results in a large increase in plasma Zn concentration, regardless of whether the additional Zn is provided as a dispersible tablet or solution.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
authors.forename: K Ryan
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wessells
authors.forename: Zinewendé P
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Ouédraogo
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rouamba
authors.forename: Sonja Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: Jean-Bosco
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ouédraogo
authors.forename: Kenneth H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D002050:Burkina Faso; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets; D013997:Time Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D015032:Zinc