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Effects of zinc supplementation on physical growth in 2-5-year-old children
Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi1, Mehrdad Shakiba, Mohamad-Hassan Eftekhari
1Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. mozaffari.kh@gmail.com
Insights
Supplemental zinc significantly improved physical growth, particularly height and weight gain, in preschool children experiencing retarded linear growth. This intervention demonstrated a notable reduction in stunting rates over the study period.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Growth and Development
- Micronutrient Deficiencies
Background:
- Physical growth disorders are prevalent in children under five, impacting development.
- Retarded linear growth is a significant concern in preschool-aged children.
- Zinc deficiency is a potential contributing factor to growth impairment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of zinc supplementation on physical growth in preschool children with retarded linear growth.
- To assess the effects of zinc on anthropometric indicators including height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference.
- To determine the efficacy of daily zinc supplementation in improving growth parameters.
Main Methods:
- A community-based randomized controlled trial was conducted.
- Participants included 2-5-year-old children with height-for-age below the 25th percentile.
- Children received either 5 mg of elemental zinc or a placebo daily for 6 months, followed by an 11-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Zinc supplementation significantly increased weight gain in both boys and girls compared to placebo.
- A significant positive effect of zinc was observed on boys' height increment.
- Stunted growth rate decreased from 26.7% to 2.5% in the zinc group.
Conclusions:
- Daily zinc supplementation for 6 months effectively improves physical growth, specifically height and weight gain, in children with retarded linear growth.
- The benefits of zinc supplementation are particularly pronounced in boys.
- Zinc supplementation offers a viable strategy to address growth faltering in young children.
Abstract:
Physical growth disorders in under 5-year-old children are a common health problem in many countries including Iran. The aim of this study was to determine effects of supplemental zinc on physical growth in preschool children with retarded linear growth. This study was a community-based randomized controlled trial on 2-5-year-old children with height-for-age below 25th percentile of National Center for Health Statistics growth chart. Ninety children were randomly assigned in zinc group (ZG) or placebo group (PG). After 6 months of zinc or placebo supplementation, we followed up the children for another 6 months. Anthropometric indicators were measured before the intervention and then monthly for 11 months. Forty children in ZG and 45 in PG concluded the study. Zinc supplementation increased weight gain in boys (P = 0.04) and girls (P = 0.05) compared to placebo but had no significant effect on mid-upper arm circumference increment in either sexes. The most significant (P = 0.001) effect of Zinc supplementation was seen in boys' height increment at the end of follow-up period. Stunted growth rate in ZG changed significantly (P = 0.01) from 26.7% to 2.5% throughout the study. This study showed that daily supplementation of 5 mg elemental zinc for 6 months improves physical growth in terms of height increment and weight gain in children with undesirable linear growth, especially in boys.
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