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Zinc Supplementation in Preterm Neonates and Neurological Development, A Randomized Controlled Trial
N B Mathur1, Devendra K Agarwal
1Department of Neonatology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Dr NB Mathur, Director Professor and Head, Department of Neonatology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi 110 002, India. drnbmathur@gmail.com.
Indian Pediatrics
|November 30, 2015
Summary
Zinc supplementation in preterm infants improved neurodevelopment, enhancing alertness and attention while reducing hyperexcitability. This intervention supports better growth outcomes in vulnerable newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Nutritional science
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Preterm neonates are at risk for neurodevelopmental and growth deficits.
- Zinc is crucial for neurological development and immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of zinc supplementation on the neurodevelopment and growth of preterm infants.
- To assess specific neurodevelopmental outcomes and growth parameters.
Main Methods:
- Open-labeled randomized controlled trial involving 100 preterm neonates.
- Intervention group received oral zinc; control group did not.
- Neurodevelopment assessed using Amiel-Tison neurologic assessment at 40 weeks post-conceptional age and 3 months corrected age.
Main Results:
- Zinc supplementation was associated with improved alertness and attention at 40 weeks post-conceptional age (P=0.02).
- Fewer zinc-supplemented infants exhibited hyper-excitability compared to controls at 40 weeks and 3 months corrected age.
- Significantly higher serum alkaline phosphatase levels were observed in the zinc group at 3 months corrected age.
Conclusions:
- Oral zinc supplementation until 3 months corrected age positively influences neurodevelopment in preterm breastfed infants.
- The intervention enhances alertness, attention, and reduces hyperexcitability and abnormal reflexes.
- Zinc supplementation is a potential strategy to improve outcomes in preterm neonates.
