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 .
Efficacy of Iron and/or Zinc Supplementation on Cognitive Performance of Lead-Exposed Mexican Schoolchildren: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
OBJECTIVE . Lead exposure in children has been associated with both global and specific cognitive deficits . Although chelation therapy is advised for children with blood lead concentrations of > 44 μg/dL , treatment options for children with lower blood lead values are limited . Because lead absorption is related to children 's nutritional status , micronutrient supplements may be 1 strategy for combating low-level , chronic lead exposure . This study was design ed to test the efficacy of iron and zinc supplementation for lowering blood lead concentrations and improving cognitive performance in schoolchildren who live in a lead-contaminated city . METHODS . This r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled field trial was conducted in public elementary schools in Torreón , an industrialized city in northern Mexico . A metal foundry , located close to the city center and within 3.5 km of 9 schools , was the main source of lead exposure . A total of 602 children who were aged 6 to 8 years and regularly attending first grade in the study schools were enrolled . Children were given 30 mg of iron , 30 mg of zinc , both , or a placebo daily for 6 months . A total of 527 completed the treatment , and 515 were available for long-term follow-up , after another 6 months without supplementation . Eleven cognitive tests of memory , attention , visual-spatial abilities , and learning were administered at baseline and each follow-up . RESULTS . There were no consistent or lasting differences in cognitive performance among treatment groups . CONCLUSIONS . Daily supplementation with iron and /or zinc may be of limited usefulness for improving cognition in lead-exposed schoolchildren . However , these treatments may be effective in setting s with higher prevalence of nutritional deficiencies or in younger children
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 .