International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Materials & Methods: This study was conducted in department of pediatrics in year 2012. It included 1520 children from 2 months to 1 year old. They were divided into 2 groups. Group I consisted of 760 children who were given Zinc orally as syrup (35 mg zinc acetate per 5 mL). Group II consisted of 760 children who were given placebo identical to the zinc syrup in colour, odour and taste.

Results: Group I consisted of 760 children who were given Zinc orally as syrup. Group II consisted of 760 children who were given placebo. Children with 2-5 months age in group I was 350 and in group II was 370. Children with 6-12 months age in group I was 410 and in group II was 390. 72% in group I and 65% in group II had smoker in family. 70% in group I and 75% in group II had household gas cooker. 62% mothers in group I and 60% in group II reported vaccination upto date. The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). Serum zinc (mol/L) level in group I was 9.8 and in group II was 9.6 at baseline, 11.2 in group I and 9.8 in group II at 10 months. The difference was significant at 10 months (P- 0.05). Haemoglobin (g/L) in group I was 97 and in group II was 99 at baseline and at 10 months in group I was 95 and in group II was 96. Serum copper (mol/L) at baseline in group I was 0.21 and in group II was 0.21, at 10 months in group I was 0.18 and in group II was 0.18. White blood cells (109/L) at baseline in group I was 11.3 and in group II was 11.4, at 10 months in group I was 11.3 and in group II was 11.2. Height at baseline in group I was 61.4 cm and in group II was 61.2 cm, in group II was 78.1 cm and in group II was 79.2 cm. Weight in group I was 6.5 Kg and in group II was 6.3 cm at baseline, 8.9 cm in group I and 8.8 cm in group II at 10 months. The difference was non - significant (P > 0.05). Diarrhea in group I (2) and group II (1) was seen. Other causes in group II were oral infection (1), pneumonia (10), poisoning (1) and sepsis (1) in group II. The difference was significant (P < 0.05). Common illnesses in group I was diarrhea (610), upper respiratory tract (URTI) (509) infection, bronchoitis (210) and pneumonia (382) and in group II was diarrhea (822), upper respiratory tract (URTI) (739) infection, bronchoitis (385) and pneumonia (487).

Conclusion: Zinc is beneficial in children in controlling diarrhea, pneumonia, suppurative otitis media and most importantly, mortality secondary to pneumonia. Zinc supplementation is safe and effective. Zinc supplementation is found to have no long-term harm.