There is no convincing evidence that zinc supplementation to infants or children results in improved motor or mental development
BACKGROUND Zinc deficiency is a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries .
Zinc is essential for the formation and migration of neurons along with the formation of neuronal synapses .
Its deficiency could interfere with the formation of neural pathways and with neurotransmission , thus affecting behavior ( for example , attention , activity , engagement , temperament ) and development ( for example , gross and fine motor skills , social skills ) .
Zinc supplementation provided to infants and children is a possible strategy to improve the mental and motor development of infants and children at high risk of zinc deficiency .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of zinc supplementation compared to placebo on measures of psychomotor development or cognitive function in children .
Effects of repletion with zinc and other micronutrients on neuropsychologic performance and growth of Chinese children.
The knowledge that zinc is essential for growth and neuropsychologic performance and a report of zinc-responsive stunting in Chinese children prompted this project . This article summarizes findings from a 10-wk , double-blind , controlled trial of zinc repletion in 740 urban , 6 - 9-y-old first grade rs from low-income families in Chongqing , Qingdao , and Shanghai , People 's Republic of China . Treatments were 20 mg Zn alone ( Z ) , 20 mg Zn with micronutrients ( ZM ) , and micronutrients alone ( M ) . The M mixture was based on National Research Council guidelines . Nutrients that might interfere with zinc retention were excluded or given in lower amounts . Main outcomes were changes in neuropsychologic performance and knee height . Hemoglobin , serum ferritin , plasma and hair zinc , and whole blood and hair lead were also measured . Anemia was not common , and serum ferritin concentrations were usually within the range of normal . Mean baseline plasma zinc concentrations were marginal in children from Chongqing and Qingdao and normal in children from Shanghai . After treatment with ZM or M plasma zinc increased . Hair zinc tended to decrease after all treatments . Mean baseline whole blood lead concentrations were slightly below the limit considered excessive for children by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . Neuropsychologic performance and growth were most improved after treatment with ZM . These findings were consistent with the presence of zinc and other micronutrient deficiencies
There is no convincing evidence that zinc supplementation to infants or children results in improved motor or mental development
BACKGROUND Zinc deficiency is a significant public health problem in low- and middle-income countries .
Zinc is essential for the formation and migration of neurons along with the formation of neuronal synapses .
Its deficiency could interfere with the formation of neural pathways and with neurotransmission , thus affecting behavior ( for example , attention , activity , engagement , temperament ) and development ( for example , gross and fine motor skills , social skills ) .
Zinc supplementation provided to infants and children is a possible strategy to improve the mental and motor development of infants and children at high risk of zinc deficiency .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of zinc supplementation compared to placebo on measures of psychomotor development or cognitive function in children .