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 44,886 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Zinc deficiency places children in many low-income countries at increased risk of illness and death from infectious diseases. Randomized controlled trials of zinc supplementation provide the best estimate of this risk through demonstrated preventive benefits. In six of nine trials that evaluated prevention of diarrhea, significantly lower incidence of diarrhea occurred in the zinc group than in the controls; a pooled analysis demonstrated 18% (95% confidence interval, 7-28%) less diarrhea. In five trials, a lower rate of pneumonia infection was found in the zinc-supplemented groups, and there was some indication of a preventive effect in three trials with a clinical malaria outcome. Zinc was also found to have a therapeutic benefit in seven trials of acute diarrhea and five of persistent diarrhea. Studies to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on mortality are under way, but a recently published study from India identified a 68% reduction in mortality in small-for-gestational-age term infants that were supplemented with zinc from 1 to 9 mo of age. The important effects of zinc deficiency are now clear, and nutrition programs should address this prevalent problem.
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PMID:Zinc deficiency, infectious disease and mortality in the developing world. 1273 Apr 49

Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human growth, development, and immune function. Zinc deficiency impairs overall immune function and resistance to infection. Mild to moderate zinc deficiency can be best detected through a positive response to supplementation trials. Zinc supplementation has been shown to have a positive effect on the incidence of diarrhea (18% reduction, 95% CI: 7-28%) and pneumonia (41% reduction, 95% CI: 17-59%), and might lead to a decrease in the incidence of malaria. Zinc has also proven to decrease the duration of diarrhea by 15% (95% CI: 5-24%). Maternal zinc supplementation may lead to a decrease in infant infections. Studies assessing the role of zinc supplementation among persons with HIV, tuberculosis, and the common cold have not been conclusive. Two studies have shown zinc supplementation to decrease child mortality by more than 50%. Zinc clearly has an important role in infant and childhood infectious diseases; programs to increase the intake of zinc among deficient populations are needed.
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PMID:Zinc and the risk for infectious disease. 1518 21

Zinc deficiency is common in children from developing countries due to lack of intake of animal foods, high dietary phytate content, inadequate food intake and increased fecal losses during diarrhea. Zinc has a fundamental role in cellular metabolism, with profound effects on the immune system and the intestinal mucosa. Zinc supplementation has shown significant benefits in prevention and treatment of diarrhea and pneumonia. Routine zinc supplementation given to low birth weight babies for a year has resulted in substantial reduction in mortality. Zinc deficiency may have adverse effects on physical growth and neurodevelopment. WHO Task Force, 2001, and the National task Force of IAP has recommended use of zinc in the treatment of diarrhea. It is also recommended as part of standard case management in persistent diarrhea and in those with severe malnutrition. Further evidence is required for qualifying its use in treatment of other infective diseases like pneumonia and malaria. Improved dietary quality & intake, food fortification and cultivation of zinc dense plants are some ways of mitigating zinc deficiency.
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PMID:Zinc in child health and disease. 1557 19

Zinc is essential for a wide variety of cellular processes in all cells. It is a critical dietary nutrient, particularly in the early stages of life. In the early neonatal period, adequate sources of zinc can be obtained from breast milk. In rare circumstances, the mammary gland produces zinc deficient milk that is potentially lethal for exclusively breast-fed infants. This can be overcome by zinc supplementation to the infant. Alterations to key zinc transporters provide insights into the mechanisms of cellular zinc homeostasis. The bioavailability of zinc in food depends on the presence of constituents that may complex zinc. In many countries, zinc deficiency is a major health issue due to poor nourishment. Young children are particularly affected. Zinc deficiency can impair immune function and contributes to the global burden of infectious diseases including diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria. Furthermore, zinc deficiency may extend its influence across generations by inducing epigenetic effects that alter the expression of genes. This review discusses the significance of adequate zinc nutrition in infants, factors that influence zinc nutrition, the consequences of zinc deficiency, including its contribution to the global burden of disease, and addresses some of the knowledge gaps in zinc biology.
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PMID:Zinc and infant nutrition. 2731 42