Wessells KR, Ouédraogo ZP, Rouamba N, Hess SY, Ouédraogo JB, Brown KH. Short-term zinc supplementation with dispersible tablets or zinc sulfate solution yields similar positive effects on plasma zinc concentration of young children in Burkina Faso: a randomized controlled trial.
J Pediatr 2012;
160:129-35.e3. [PMID:
21871635 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpeds.2011.06.051]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2011] [Revised: 05/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To assess zinc absorption from dispersible tablets by investigating the effects of short-term zinc supplementation, provided either as zinc (Zn) sulfate dispersible tablets or solution, on changes in plasma Zn concentration in young children.
STUDY DESIGN
We conducted a randomized, partially-masked, placebo-controlled trial in 451 children 6 to 23 months of age in Burkina Faso, randomly assigned to receive a dispersible tablet containing 5 mg Zn, a Zn solution containing 5 mg Zn/5 mL, or a placebo solution, daily for 3 weeks. The main outcome measure was change in plasma zinc concentration after supplementation compared with baseline.
RESULTS
The mean plus or minus SD change in plasma Zn concentration (μg/dL) was significantly greater in both Zn supplemented groups (tablets: 16.9±13.1μg/dL, liquid: 16.6±14.2 μg/dL), compared with the placebo group (0.2±10.9 μg/dL; P<.001, ANOVA). In both Zn supplemented groups, but not in the placebo group, change in plasma Zn concentration was progressively less with increasing age in months (-0.79 μg/dL/mo and -1.15 μg/dL/mo, respectively; P<.001); this effect did not differ in the Zn supplemented groups (P=.18).
CONCLUSIONS
Short-term supplementation results in a large increase in plasma Zn concentration, regardless of whether the additional Zn is provided as a dispersible tablet or solution.
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