ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the effect of oral zinc supplementation on growth of preterm infants. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Dhaka Shisu Hospital (Tertiary care hospital). Subjects: 100 appropriate for date preterm infants weighing between 1000 to 2500g were randomized to receive zinc and multivitamin supplement (Group I; n=50) or only multivitamin supplement (Group II). Intervention: Zinc supplementation was given 2mg/kg/ day for 6 weeks along with multivitamin in Group I and only multivitamin to Group II. Primary outcome variable: Increment of weight and length. Results: At enrollment, serum zinc (62.1±12.4μg/dL in Group I and 63.1±14.6μg/dL in Group II) and hemoglobin levels (14.9±2.4g/dL in Group I and 14.4±1.7g/dL in Group II) were almost similar in both groups. Serum zinc levels were in lower limit of normal range. After supplementation, serum zinc and hemoglobin levels were significantly higher in Group I (105±16.5μg/dL) than Group II (82.2±17.4μg/dL) (P<0.05). Weight, length and head circumference were comparable in both groups at enrollment. Significant differences in weight gain and increment in length were found in first and second follow up between two groups but OFC increments were not significant (P>0.05). Reduction of morbidity was apparent in zinc supplemented group. No serious adverse effect was noted related to supplementation therapy. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation for preterm low birth weight babies is found effective to enhance the growth in early months of life.
ABSTRACT
Low birth weight (LBW) is a major child health problem in Bangladesh and continuing to great threat to child health and child survival in Bangladesh. LBW is a silent emergency but crisis is real and its persistence has profound and frightening impact on neonatal mortality. This observational study was conducted in Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during July 2004 to June 2005. Serum zinc levels were estimated between two groups: group-I preterm AGA (n=50), group II preterm SGA (n=50) babies. Blood samples were collected from the study population in neonatal unit and serum zinc levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry in Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Observed data were made comparison among groups by Students 't' test. It was observed serum zinc level (60.2+/-15.2) in group I and (62.1+/-12.4) in group II. Serum zinc level was in lower limit of normal range in both groups with more lower level in preterm AGA babies but their difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). So zinc supplementation may enhance the growth of preterm LBW babies in their early months of lives.