Zinc Supplementation Reduces the Incidence of Acute Lower Respiratory Infections in Infants and Preschool Children: A Double-blind, Controlled Trial

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Abstract
Background. Increased acute lower respiratory infection incidence, severity, and mortality are associated with malnutrition, and reduced immunological competence may be a mechanism for this association. Because zinc deficiency results in impaired immunocompetence and zinc supplementation improves immune status, we hypothesized that zinc deficiency is associated with increased incidence and severity of acute lower respiratory infection. Methods. We evaluated the effect of daily supplementation with 10 mg of elemental zinc on the incidence and prevalence of acute lower respiratory infection in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in 609 children (zinc, n = 298; control, n = 311) 6 to 35 months of age. Supplementation and morbidity surveillance were done for 6 months. Results. After 120 days of supplementation, the percentage of children with plasma zinc concentrations Conclusions. A dietary zinc supplement resulted in a significant reduction in respiratory morbidity in preschool children. These findings suggest that interventions to improve zinc intake will improve the health and survival of children in developing countries.