title: Zinc supplementation for prevention of acute respiratory infections in infants: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the effect of 2 weeks of prophylactic zinc supplementation on incidence and duration of acute respiratory infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized double blind controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community based; urban resettlement area in North-East Delhi, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  272 children aged 6-11 months with acute respiratory infections. Children receiving zinc supplement within the past 3 months, severely malnourished, immuno-deficient, on steroid therapy, with severe illness requiring hospitalization, or children of families likely to migrate from the study area were excluded.
  
  
  METHODS
  Placebo (syrup base) or zinc (20 mg/5 mL elemental zinc as zinc sulfate) orally given for a period of 2 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Incidence, type and duration of acute respiratory infections, and adverse effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No effect on incidence of acute respiratory infections was noted. A decrease of 15% (0.78-0.94) in days and 12% (0.78-0.94) in duration of episode in acute respiratory infections was observed. Incidence of acute lower respiratory infections decreased by 62% (0.26-0.36) and the effect remained for full five months of follow up. There were no drop outs due to side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prophylactic zinc supplementation for two weeks may reduce the morbidity due to acute lower respiratory infections but not overall rate of acute respiratory infections in infants aged 6-11 months in similar populations.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Community Medicine and *Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India; and #Indian Institute of Public Health, Gurgaon, Haryana, India. Correspondence to: Dr Akash Malik, National RMNCH+A Unit, Room No. 107 D, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi 110 001, India. drakashmalik28@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Akash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Davendra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Taneja
authors.forename: Nivedhita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Devasenapathy
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajeshwari
mesh_terms: D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc