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A trial of zinc supplementation in young rural Gambian children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

C. J. Bates ,
P. H. Bates ,
M. Dardenne ,
A. Prentice ,
P. G. Lunn ,
C. A. Northrop-Clewes ,
S. Hoare ,
T. J. Cole ,
S. J. Horan  and
S. C. Longman
...Show all authors
C. J. Bates
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
P. H. Bates
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
M. Dardenne
Affiliation:
Immunologie Clinique, Hôpital Necker, 161 Rue de Sèvres, 75743, Paris, Cedex 15, France
A. Prentice
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
P. G. Lunn
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
C. A. Northrop-Clewes
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
S. Hoare
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
T. J. Cole
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
S. J. Horan
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
S. C. Longman
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
D. Stirling
Affiliation:
MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 1XJ and Keneba, The Gambia, W. Africa
P. J. Aggett
Affiliation:
AFRC Institute of Food Research, Norwich Laboratory, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UA
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Abstract

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The present study tested the hypothesis that inadequate Zn intake might be responsible for failure to thrive and impaired catch-up growth in young rural Gambian children, and that Zn supplements might be beneficial. Gambian children might be deprived of Zn because of its poor availability from their predominantly plant-based diet. Rural Gambian children (110; fifty boys, sixty girls) aged between 0.57 and 2.30 years were divided into two matched groups, one to receive 70 mg Zn twice weekly for 1.25 years, and the other a placebo. Growth and mid-upper-arm circumference were measured at weekly intervals throughout the study and illnesses were monitored. Capillary blood and urine samples were collected at 0, 2 and 8 weeks. Body weights and arm circumferences showed a linear increase, plus a seasonal effect (rainy season faltering). For body weight there was no significant overall effect of the supplement. For arm circumference, a very small (2 %) but significant (P < 0.01) difference favoured the supplemented group. Plasma thymulin was much lower at the first clinic than at the second and third clinics, and in vitro Zn stimulation was greater at the first clinic. There was, however, no effect of Zn in vivo. Likewise, Zn did not significantly benefit T-cell numbers or ratios, secretory IgA in urine, circulating hormone levels or biochemical indices of Zn status. One index of intestinal permeability, i.e. lactulose: creatinine, was improved (P < 0.02) by the supplement, but the lactulose: mannitol value was not; this requires further investigation. Dietary Zn deficiency is, thus, unlikely to be of major overall importance for rural Gambian children's ability to thrive, and blanket Zn supplementation is not justified. There may, however, be vulnerable sub-groups who would benefit from Zn supplements.

Keywords

ZincInfantsSupplementationGrowthThymulin
Type
Micronutrient Supplementation and the Incidence of Deficiency
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 69 , Issue 1 , January 1993 , pp. 243 - 255
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1993

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