title: Effect of zinc intake on mental and motor development in infants: a meta-analysis.
abstract: A systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted to evaluate the effect of zinc (Zn) intake on mental and motor development in infants. Out of 5500 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 5 RCTs were selected after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria. The influence of Zn intake on mental and motor development was considered in the overall meta-analysis. Other variables were also taken into account as possible effect modifiers: doses of Zn intake, intervention duration, nutritional situation, and risk of bias. Indices of mental and motor development assessed were the Mental Development Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI). Additionally we carried out a sensitivity analysis. The pooled β was -0.01 (95 %CI -0.02, 0) for MDI and 0 (95 %CI -0.03, 0.02) for PDI, with a substantial heterogeneity in both analyses. When we performed a meta-regression, the effect of Zn supplementation on MDI changed depending on the dose of supplementation. Regarding PDI, there was a differential effect of Zn intake depending on intervention duration, dose of supplementation, nutritional situation, and risk of bias. Zn supplementation showed a negative, weak and significant effect on PDI score in those studies with a length of 4 to 20 weeks (β= -0.05; CI 95 % -0.06 to -0.04). In conclusion, no association was found between Zn intake and mental and motor development in infants. Further standardized research is urgently needed to clarify the role of Zn supplementation upon infant mental and motor development, particularly in Europe.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN, CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Mariela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nissensohn
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN, CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Almudena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Villegas
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Unacar, Ciudad del Carmen, Mexico.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuentes Lugo
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN, CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Henríquez Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN, CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Doreste Alonso
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: Marisol W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: Maternal & Infant Nutrition & Nurture Unit, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hall Moran
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, and Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN, CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serra-Majem
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc
keywords: EURRECA; infants; mental and motor development; zinc intake