title: The relationship between zinc intake and growth in children aged 1-8 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is estimated that zinc deficiency affects 17% of the world's population, and because of periods of rapid growth children are at an increased risk of deficiency, which may lead to stunting. This paper presents a systematic review and meta-analysis of the randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assess zinc intake and growth in children aged 1-8 years. This review is part of a larger systematic review by the European Micronutrient Recommendations Aligned Network of Excellence that aims to harmonise the approach to setting micronutrient requirements for optimal health in European populations (www.eurreca.org).
  
  
  METHODS
  Searches were performed of literature published up to and including December 2013 using MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library databases. Included studies were RCTs in apparently healthy child populations aged from 1 to 8 years that supplied zinc supplements either as capsules or as part of a fortified meal. Pooled meta-analyses were performed when appropriate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. We found no significant effect of zinc supplementation of between 2 weeks and 12 months duration on weight gain, height for age, weight for age, length for age, weight for height (WHZ) or WHZ scores in children aged 1-8 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many of the children in the included studies were already stunted and may have been suffering from multiple micronutrient deficiencies, and therefore zinc supplementation alone may have only a limited effect on growth.
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Stammers
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: M 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: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Maternal & Infant Nutrition & Nurture Unit (MAINN), University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dykes
authors.affiliation: Community Nutrition Unit, Bilbao City Council, Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pérez-Rodrigo
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain [2] Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN, CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serra-Majam
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Spain [2] Ciber Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN, CB06/03), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nissensohn
authors.affiliation: Maternal & Infant Nutrition & Nurture Unit (MAINN), University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Moran
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005060:Europe; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D015032:Zinc