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Zinc supplementation for prevention of acute respiratory infections in infants: A randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Objective

To study the effect of 2 weeks of prophylactic zinc supplementation on incidence and duration of acute respiratory infections.

Design

Randomized double blind controlled trial.

Setting

Community based; urban resettlement area in North-East Delhi, India.

Participants

272 children aged 6–11 months with acute respiratory infections. Children receiving zinc supplement within the past 3 months, severely malnourished, immuno-deficient, on steroid therapy, with severe illness requiring hospitalization, or children of families likely to migrate from the study area were excluded.

Intervention

Placebo (syrup base) or zinc (20 mg/5 mL elemental zinc as zinc sulfate) orally given for a period of 2 weeks.

Main outcome measure(s)

Incidence, type and duration of acute respiratory infections, and adverse effects.

Results

No effect on incidence of acute respiratory infections was noted. A decrease of 15% (0.78–0.94) in days and 12% (0.78–0.94) in duration of episode in acute respiratory infections was observed. Incidence of acute lower respiratory infections decreased by 62% (0.26–0.36) and the effect remained for full five months of follow up. There were no drop outs due to side effects.

Conclusions

Prophylactic zinc supplementation for two weeks may reduce the morbidity due to acute lower respiratory infections but not overall rate of acute respiratory infections in infants aged 6–11 months in similar populations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Community Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India

    Akash Malik & Davendra K. Taneja

  2. Departments of Pediatrics, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India

    K. Rajeshwari

  3. Indian Institute of Public Health, Gurgaon, Haryana, India

    Nivedhita Devasenapathy

  4. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, National RMNCH+A Unit, Room No. 107 D, Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi, 110 001, India

    Akash Malik

Authors
  1. Akash Malik
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  2. Davendra K. Taneja
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  3. Nivedhita Devasenapathy
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  4. K. Rajeshwari
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Correspondence to Akash Malik.

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Malik, A., Taneja, D.K., Devasenapathy, N. et al. Zinc supplementation for prevention of acute respiratory infections in infants: A randomized controlled trial . Indian Pediatr 51, 780–784 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-014-0503-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-014-0503-z

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