Short-term supplementation with zinc and vitamin A has no significant effect on the growth of undernourished Bangladeshi children.

Study answer

What this study found

Short-term zinc, vitamin A, or zinc plus vitamin A did not improve growth. Over 6 months, weight and length gains were similar across active arms, with no significant between-group differences in growth velocity. Reported 6-month weight gain was 747 ± 485 g in the zinc group, 801 ± 492 g in the zinc plus vitamin A group, and 835 ± 435 g in the vitamin A group; corresponding length gain was 4.29 ± 1.54 cm, 4.12 ± 1.29 cm, and 4.33 ± 1.41 cm. Changes in weight-for-age, weight-for-length, and length-for-age z scores were small and near zero.

Study & population

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial in mildly to moderately malnourished children aged 12 to 35 months living in urban slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Intervention

Children were assigned to zinc syrup, vitamin A, zinc plus vitamin A, or placebo.

Key limitation

Short-term supplementation and a 6-month follow-up limit inference about longer-term growth effects.

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Original abstract