BACKGROUND: Several vitamin A supplementation trials have failed to improve the growth rate in children. Addition of zinc to vitamin A might result in enhanced growth. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect on growth in children of simultaneous supplementation withzinc and vitamin A. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial. Six hundred fifty-three children aged 12-35 mo were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 intervention groups: 20 mg Zn/d for 14 d (Z group), 60000 retinol equivalents (200000 IU) vitamin A on day 14 (A group), zinc plus vitamin A (ZA group), or placebo syrup and placebo capsule (placebo group). Weight and length were measured at enrollment and again after 3 and 6 mo. RESULTS:Gains in weight and length during the 6-mo follow-up period were not significantly different among the 4 groups by analysis of variance. Catch-up growth also did not differ significantly among the groups. The proportions of children whose weight-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 57% in the Z group, 46% in the A group, 50% in the ZA group, and 54% in the placebo group (NS). The proportions of children whose length-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 42% in the Z group, 48% in the A group, 53% in the ZA group, and 46% in the placebo group (NS). CONCLUSION:Combined short-term zinc supplementation and a single dose of vitamin A has no significant effects on weight and length increments in children over a 6-mo period.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Several vitamin A supplementation trials have failed to improve the growth rate in children. Addition of zinc to vitamin A might result in enhanced growth. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect on growth in children of simultaneous supplementation with zinc and vitamin A. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial. Six hundred fifty-three children aged 12-35 mo were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 intervention groups: 20 mg Zn/d for 14 d (Z group), 60000 retinol equivalents (200000 IU) vitamin A on day 14 (A group), zinc plus vitamin A (ZA group), or placebo syrup and placebo capsule (placebo group). Weight and length were measured at enrollment and again after 3 and 6 mo. RESULTS: Gains in weight and length during the 6-mo follow-up period were not significantly different among the 4 groups by analysis of variance. Catch-up growth also did not differ significantly among the groups. The proportions of children whose weight-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 57% in the Z group, 46% in the A group, 50% in the ZA group, and 54% in the placebo group (NS). The proportions of children whose length-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 42% in the Z group, 48% in the A group, 53% in the ZA group, and 46% in the placebo group (NS). CONCLUSION: Combined short-term zinc supplementation and a single dose of vitamin A has no significant effects on weight and length increments in children over a 6-mo period.
Authors: A L Stammers; N M Lowe; M W Medina; S Patel; F Dykes; C Pérez-Rodrigo; L Serra-Majam; M Nissensohn; V H Moran Journal: Eur J Clin Nutr Date: 2014-10-22 Impact factor: 4.016
Authors: Emily L Deichsel; Kirkby D Tickell; Jessica E Long; Nelson L Jumbe; Ali Rowhani-Rahbar; Judd L Walson Journal: Am J Trop Med Hyg Date: 2018-02-08 Impact factor: 2.345
Authors: Brigitte A Pfluger; Hillary V Smith; Annika M Weber; Hend Ibrahim; Lassina Doumbia; Abdoulaye Bore; Alima Cissoko; Seydou Douyon; Karim Kone; Lansana Sangare; Ababacar Maiga; Ousmane A Koita; Kelli Goodman; Anne M Evans; Elizabeth P Ryan Journal: Nutrients Date: 2022-01-30 Impact factor: 5.717