title: Effect of Zinc Intake on Growth 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 growth in infants. Out of 5500 studies identified through electronic searches and reference lists, 19 RCTs were selected after applying the exclusion/inclusion criteria. The influence of Zn intake on growth 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 status, and risk of bias. From each select growth study, final measures of weight, length, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), head circumference, weight for age z-score (WAZ), length for age z-score (LAZ), and weight for length z-score (WLZ) were assessed. Pooled β and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Additionally, we carried out a sensitivity analysis. Zn intake was not associated with weight, length, MUAC, head circumference, and LAZ in the pooled analyses. However, Zn intake had a positive and statistically effect on WAZ (β = 0.06; 95%CI 0.02 to 0.10) and WLZ (β = 0.05; 95%CI 0.01 to 0.08). The dose-response relationship between Zn intake and these parameters indicated that a doubling of Zn intake increased WAZ and WLZ by approximately 4%. Substantial heterogeneity was present only in length analyses (I(2) = 45%; p = 0.03). Zn intake was positively associated with length values at short time (four to 20 weeks) (β = 0.01; CI 95% 0 to 0.02) and at medium doses of Zn (4.1 to 8 mg/day) (β = 0.003; CI 95% 0 to 0.01). Nevertheless, the effect magnitude was small. Our results indicate that Zn intake increases growth parameters of infants. Nonetheless, interpretation of these results should be carefully considered.
authors.affiliation: a Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.|b Ciber Obn. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health "Carlos III," Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nissensohn
authors.affiliation: a Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.|b Ciber Obn. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health "Carlos III," Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Villegas
authors.affiliation: c Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Autónoma del Carmen (Unacar), Ciudad del Carmen . México.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuentes Lugo
authors.affiliation: a Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.|b Ciber Obn. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health "Carlos III," Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Henríquez Sánchez
authors.affiliation: a Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.|b Ciber Obn. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health "Carlos III," Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Doreste Alonso
authors.affiliation: a Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.|b Ciber Obn. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health "Carlos III," Madrid , Spain.|d Unit of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Pediatric Nutrition. Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno-Infantil de Las Palmas, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peña Quintana
authors.affiliation: a Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.|b Ciber Obn. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health "Carlos III," Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ruano
authors.affiliation: e International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.affiliation: f Maternal & Infant Nutrition & Nurture Unit, University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hall Moran
authors.affiliation: e International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.affiliation: e International Institute of Nutritional Sciences and Applied Food Safety Studies, University of Central Lancashire , Preston , UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Warthon-Medina
authors.affiliation: a Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , Spain.|b Ciber Obn. Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health "Carlos III," Madrid , Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Serra-Majem
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc
keywords: EURRECA; growth; infants; zinc intake