Effect of zinc supplementation on growth in West African children: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in rural Burkina Faso

• Published in: International journal of epidemiology Vol. 32; no. 6; pp. 1098 - 1102
• Main Authors: Müller, O, Garenne, M, Reitmaier, P, Van Zweeden, A Baltussen, Kouyate, B, Becher, H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Oxford Publishing Limited (England) 01.12.2003
• Subjects: Anthropometry; Body Height - drug effects; Body Weight - drug effects; Burkina Faso; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Developing Countries; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Growth - drug effects; Humans; Infant; Male; Malnutrition - physiopathology; Rural Health; Zinc - blood; Zinc - deficiency; Zinc Sulfate - therapeutic use; Burkina Faso
• ISSN: 0300-5771; 1464-3685
• DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyg190

To analyse the effects of zinc supplementation on growth parameters in a representative sample of young children in rural Burkina Faso. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy trial. Setting Eighteen villages in rural northwestern Burkina Faso. Subjects In all, 709 children aged 6-31 months were enrolled; 685 completed the trial. Intervention Supplementation with zinc (12.5 mg zinc sulphate) or placebo daily for 6 days a week for 6 months. Outcomes Weight, length/height, mid-arm circumference, and serum zinc. In a representative subsample of study children, 72% were zinc-deficient at baseline. After supplementation, serum zinc increased in zinc-supplemented but not in control children of the subsample. No significant differences between groups were observed during follow-up regarding length/height, weight, mid-arm circumference, and z scores for height-for-age, weight-for-age, and weight-for-height. We conclude that zinc supplementation does not have an effect of public health importance on growth in West African populations of young children with a high prevalence of malnutrition. Multinutrient interventions are likely to be more effective.