Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 26, 2026

A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis
14:54

A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis

Published on: January 27, 2019

11.9K

Zinc as an adjunct treatment for reducing case fatality due to clinical severe infection in young infants: study

Nitya Wadhwa1, Sudha Basnet2, Uma Chandra Mouli Natchu1

  • 1Pediatric Biology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, Haryana, India.

BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology
|July 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Zinc supplementation may reduce deaths from severe infections in young infants. This trial investigates oral zinc as an adjunct to standard antibiotic therapy to lower infant mortality in developing countries.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Neonatal deaths account for a significant portion of under-5 mortality, with severe infections being a major contributor.
  • Mortality from severe infections in developing countries remains high despite antibiotic use.
  • There is a critical need for effective interventions to reduce case fatality in infants with severe infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of oral zinc as an adjunct to standard therapy in reducing mortality among hospitalized infants with severe infections.
  • To investigate the impact of zinc on both hospital and extended case fatality up to 12 weeks post-enrollment.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled superiority trial involving infants aged 3 days to 2 months hospitalized with severe infections.
  • Participants were randomized (1:1) to receive either 10 mg of elemental zinc or placebo orally for 14 days, in addition to standard care.
  • The study was conducted across seven hospitals in Delhi, India, and Kathmandu, Nepal.

Main Results:

  • A previous study indicated zinc reduced treatment failure but had a non-significant effect on case fatality.
  • The current study is powered to detect a significant effect on case fatality.
  • Results consistent with the previous trial would provide strong evidence for zinc's benefit.

Conclusions:

  • If findings align with prior research, this study will support the recommendation of zinc as an adjunctive treatment for severe infections in young infants.
  • Effective adjunctive therapies like zinc are crucial for reducing mortality in vulnerable infant populations.
  • Further research and clinical trials are essential to confirm the role of zinc in managing severe infections in neonates and young infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
IndiaInfantsNeonateNepalSepsisSevere infectionZinc

More Related Videos

Using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a Bioindicator for Zinc-Limited Growth Conditions in Mycobacteria08:24

Using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a Bioindicator for Zinc-Limited Growth Conditions in Mycobacteria

Published on: September 20, 2024

930
A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii09:17

A Robust Pneumonia Model in Immunocompetent Rodents to Evaluate Antibacterial Efficacy against S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa or A. baumannii

Published on: January 2, 2017

15.3K

Related Concept Videos

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
4.4K
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
407
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
1.3K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
334