Abstract: (14835 Views)
Background and purpose : Growth defect is one of the prevalent problems in pediatric. Ïn addition to the significant effect of protein and lack of calory on growth, zinc is also reported as effective factor in growth of milk feeded infants.
Ïn this study the effect of zinc sulfate supplement on weight and hieght of the infants referring to the pediatric endocrine disease clinic of Boalo hospital was studied in the years 2001-2002.
Materials and methods : This was a double-blind placebo controled clinical trial done on the infants being referred from the sari health centers due to growth disorders.
The subjects were divided in three groups as follow: severe malnutrition (SDS<-3), moderate mulnutrition (with SDS between 2-3) and normal infants or mild malnutrition (SDS>-2). Ïn order to neutralize the interfering factors, they were divided in 3 groups of bad, moderate and good on the basis of socio economic status.
Ïn general, the subjects were created in 9 frames and randomly were divided in two case and control groups. Both of the groups were instructed about the need for energy and protein, and also for reduction of taking less nutritional food stuff. Ïn the case group zinc sulfate with dose of 5 mg/kg (1 mg/kg/zinc) was given dailty. Weight and height of the infacts prior and after interferance was compared, and serum zinc level prior to and after interferance was controled. T-test, X2 and paired-t test were used for comparison of the obtained results.
Results : 44 infants (23 girls and 12 boys) were under study. 21 persons were in case and 23 persons in control group. Both of the groups had similar basic features. Duration for administration of the drug was 3.3 months and followed up for 4.7 months. The obtained results are indicater of increasing in weight (P<0.02) and hieght (P<0.001) in both of the groups, but the differance between the above groups has not been significant. Most increase in weight was observed in group two (with moderate malnurition) P<0.0005. Âlso zinc sulfate reduced onset of gastroenteritis in case group (P<0.005).
Çonclusion : Zinc sulfate had no effect on weight gain in the subjects under study. Ït seems that growth indexes have improved due to amendment of nutritional status and provision of energy and protein. May be administration of zinc would reduce gastroenteritis. Similar study in the province with zinc difficiency is recommended.