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 .
Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Physical Growth in 2–5-Year-Old Children
Physical growth disorders in under 5-year-old children are a common health problem in many countries including Iran . The aim of this study was to determine effects of supplemental zinc on physical growth in preschool children with retarded linear growth .  This study was a community-based r and omized controlled trial on 2–5-year-old children with height-for-age below 25th percentile of National Center for Health Statistics growth chart . Ninety children were r and omly assigned in  zinc  group ( ZG ) or placebo group ( PG ) . After 6 months of zinc or placebo supplementation , we followed up the children for another 6 months . Anthropometric indicators were measured before the intervention and then monthly for 11 months . Forty children in ZG and 45 in PG concluded the study . Zinc supplementation increased weight gain in boys ( P = 0.04 ) and girls ( P = 0.05 ) compared to placebo but had no significant effect on mid-upper arm circumference increment in either sexes . The most significant ( P = 0.001 ) effect of Zinc supplementation was seen in boys ’ height increment at the end of follow-up period . Stunted growth rate in ZG changed significantly ( P = 0.01 ) from 26.7 % to 2.5 % throughout the study . This study showed that daily supplementation of 5 mg elemental zinc for 6 months improves physical growth in terms of height increment and weight gain in children with undesirable linear growth , especially in boys
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 .