Conclusions : Many of the children in the included studies were already stunted and may have been suffering from multiple micronutrient deficiencies , and therefore zinc supplementation alone may have only a limited effect on growth
Background / objectives : It is estimated that zinc deficiency affects 17 % of the world 's population , and because of periods of rapid growth children are at an increased risk of deficiency , which may lead to stunting .
This paper presents a systematic review and meta- analysis of the r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) that assess zinc intake and growth in children aged 1–8 years .
Short-term supplementation with zinc and vitamin A has no significant effect on the growth of undernourished Bangladeshi children.
BACKGROUND Several vitamin A supplementation trials have failed to improve the  growth rate  in children . Addition of zinc to vitamin A might result in enhanced growth . OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the effect on growth in children of simultaneous supplementation with zinc and vitamin A.  DESIGN This was a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled intervention trial . Six hundred fifty-three children aged 12 - 35 mo were r and omly assigned to 1 of 4 intervention groups : 20 mg Zn/d for 14 d ( Z group ) , 60000 retinol equivalents ( 200000 IU ) vitamin A on day 14 ( A group ) , zinc plus vitamin A ( ZA group ) , or placebo syrup and placebo capsule ( placebo group ) . Weight and length were measured at enrollment and again after 3 and 6 mo . RESULTS Gains in weight and length during the 6-mo follow-up period were not significantly different among the 4 groups by analysis of variance . Catch-up growth also did not differ significantly among the groups . The proportions of children whose weight-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 57 % in the Z group , 46 % in the A group , 50 % in the ZA group , and 54 % in the placebo group ( NS ) . The proportions of children whose length-for-age z scores did not change or decreased were 42 % in the Z group , 48 % in the A group , 53 % in the ZA group , and 46 % in the placebo group ( NS ) . CONCLUSION Combined short-term zinc supplementation and a single dose of vitamin A has no significant effects on weight and length increments in children over a 6-mo period
Conclusions : Many of the children in the included studies were already stunted and may have been suffering from multiple micronutrient deficiencies , and therefore zinc supplementation alone may have only a limited effect on growth
Background / objectives : It is estimated that zinc deficiency affects 17 % of the world 's population , and because of periods of rapid growth children are at an increased risk of deficiency , which may lead to stunting .
This paper presents a systematic review and meta- analysis of the r and omised controlled trials ( RCTs ) that assess zinc intake and growth in children aged 1–8 years .