Community Trial of Zinc Supplementation on Preschool Child Mortality and Morbidity in Southern Nepal

Conditions

Nutrition

Keywords

zinc, child mortality, child morbidity, community trial, prevention trial, dietary supplement

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether daily supplementation of young children in Nepal with either zinc, iron-folic acid, or both can reduce mortality and morbidity. Young children in Nepal have numerous nutritional deficiencies and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Zinc and/or iron supplementation may be a cost-effective method for reducing these risks.

Detailed description

Mortality rates among preschool age children in Nepal and many other developing countries remain high despite significant progress made over the past 20 years. There remain significant nutritional deficiencies in these populations, especially important are vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Comparisons: In this study, we are comparing the morbidity and mortality experience for children 1-36 months of age randomized to one of four daily supplementation regimens: placebo, zinc alone, iron-folic acid alone, zinc + iron-folic acid.

Pamela J. Surkan, Mary Katherine Charles, Joanne Katz, Emily H. Siegel, Subarna K. Khatry et al. (8 authors)

PLoS ONE2015-03-3010 citations

10.1371/journal.pone.0114266

Effect of daily zinc supplementation on child mortality in southern Nepal: a community-based, cluster randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Tielsch JM, Khatry SK, Stoltzfus RJ, Katz J, LeClerq SC, Adhikari R, Mullany LC, Black R, Shresta S.

2007-10-0183 citations

10.1016/s0140-6736(07)61539-6

Effect of routine prophylactic supplementation with iron and folic acid on preschool child mortality in southern Nepal: community-based, cluster-randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Tielsch JM, Khatry SK, Stoltzfus RJ, Katz J, LeClerq SC, Adhikari R, Mullany LC, Shresta S, Black RE.

2006-01-01136 citations

10.1016/s0140-6736(06)67963-4

Interventions

DRUGzinc sulphate dietary supplement

DRUGiron sulphate-folic acid dietary supplement

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

FACTORIAL

Primary purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

DOUBLE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

1 Months to 36 Months

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

* All children 1-35 months of age living in 30 Village Development Committees of Sarlahi District in southern Nepal.

Exclusion criteria

* Parent refusal

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Death among children 1-36 months of age	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Incidence rates of selected morbidities including diarrhea, dysentery, acute respiratory infections	—

Countries

Nepal, United States

Outcome results

None listed