Zinc supplement can reduce infant deaths

The Hindu ^ | June 2, 2012 | P. Sunderarajan

[neverdem]

Giving zinc as a supplement along with antibiotics can significantly reduce mortality by lowering treatment failure in children suffering from serious infections such as pneumonia and meningitis, according to a study.

The study, reported in the latest issue of the international medical journal, The Lancet, has found that babies who were given zinc supplement were 40 per cent less likely to experience treatment failure and their risk of death was reduced by 43 per cent.

The study covered 700 babies aged between seven and 120 days — 352 of them were given zinc supplement along with the standard antibiotics and the others a placebo. It was funded by the Department of Biotechnology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.

Speaking to journalists here, DBT Secretary M.K. Bhan said research had already shown that zinc supplements could help cure diarrhoea and zinc syrups or dispersible tablets were already available for its treatment in many countries.

Worldwide, bacterial and other infections account for nearly two-thirds of deaths in children under five, with around two-fifths of the deaths occurring within the first month of life. In India, of the one million neonatal deaths that occur every year, more than a quarter are attributed to these infections.

[neverdem]

Zinc as adjunct treatment in infants aged between 7 and 120 days with probable serious bacterial infection: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Several animal and human studies5—7 have shown that zinc is crucial for immune function.

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[perfect_rovian_storm]

My ex wife was a teacher. She brought every creeping crud known to man home from those kids. She got sick all the time, but I never did, because I take a zinc supplement with my vitamins every morning.

[Yaelle]

Zinc definitely works. I don’t know the best way to get it into my baby though. And my kids HATE the taste of zinc supps.