Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Effect of Zinc and Vitamin A Supplementation on Diarrhea, Physical Growth and Immune Response in Malnourished Children
Brief Summary: Zinc deficiency is common in developing country children, as food intakes are often low, foods from animal sources are infrequently used, the bioavailability of zinc from staple cereal-based diets is limited and zinc losses occur during recurring diarrheal illnesses. Zinc deficiency is associated with impairment in immunological and other defenses against infection and increased rates of serious infections. Due to limitations in currently used biochemical markers, supplementation trials in populations likely to be deficient provide a reliable means of assessing health consequences of zinc deficiency.

A significantly lower incidence and prevalence of diarrhea has been observed in zinc supplemented developing country children in several placebo-controlled trials. The effect of routine zinc supplementation on lower respiratory tract infection is still unclear. We, therefore, evaluated the impact of daily zinc supplementation in a representative sample of children aged 6 to 30 months enrolled from a New Delhi slum area, with a sample size sufficient to determine the impact on the incidence of severe diarrhea and acute lower respiratory infection.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant women at or before 14 weeks gestational age.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Women who anticipate moving outside of the study area before study completion
* Those with twin or multiple pregnancies
* Those who test positive for hepatitis B (HepBSAg), HIV or Syphilis (VDRL)
* Those taking vitamin supplements in addition to folate and iron
* Those with a serious pre-existing medical condition, defined as conditions that require chronic or daily medical therapy such as connective tissue diseases, hypertension not related to pregnancy, inflammatory bowel disease, active tuberculosis, symptomatic heart disease, and insulin dependent diabetes.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Children in the age group 6-30 months
* Either sex

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refused consent
* Likely to move out of study area within the next four months
* Urgent admission to hospital on the enrollment day
* Had received massive dose of vitamin A within the two months before enrollment
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* 6-27 months of age
* Plan to remain in study area for 1 year

Exclusion Criteria:

* Evidence of congenital abnormalities and chronic infection
* Severe anemia and severe acute malnutrition
* Consumption of micronutrient supplementation including zinc
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 6-60 months
* Permanently residing in the study area
* Being moderately or mildly stunted (height-for-age z-score \<-1.5 SD)
* Informed consent from parents or guardians obtained

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe wasting (weight-for-height z-score \<-3 SD)
* Hemoglobin concentration \<70 g/L
* Axillary temperature ≥37.50 °C with malaria antigenemia
* Signs and symptoms at randomisation suggesting malaria, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, sickle cell disease or other severe condition
* Unable to produce a venous blood sample (\>1 mL)

Answer: B