A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY OF THE IMPACT OF DIETARY ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILDREN WITH PROTEIN-ENERGY MALNUTRITION IN LESOTHO

Makonnen B.1 Venter A.1 Joubert G2

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, UOFS, Bloemfontein, SA1

Department of Biostatistics, UOFS, Bloemfontein, SA2

 

Introduction:  Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) remains on of the common causes of morbidity and mortality among children throughout the world.  To prolong life and to prevent morbidity many advances have been made in the treatment of PEM.  Advances in the knowledge of micro-nutrients have led to improved dietary management of PEM.

Methodology:  The supplementation with 10mg element zinc, as zinc sulphate, was evaluated in the management of PEM in a randomized, controlled clinical trial on 300 children, 6 to 60 months of age (Zinc, n= 150, Control, n = 150) admitted to the Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Maseru, Lesotho. Supplementation and follow-up were done for 3 months post discharge for the Hospital.

Results:  Mortality during hospitalization was 4.7% in the Zinc Supplemented Group, compared to 16.7% in the Control group, which was statistically significant.  The prevalence of morbidity was significant higher in the Control group at 1, 2 and 3 month’s follow-up.  After 90 days supplementation, mean Zinc was 10.1 in the Zinc group, compared to 7.8 in the Control group.  In the Zinc group 58% of the children were above the 80th percentile of expected weight for age 3 months after statistically significant.  The effect of Human Immune deficiency Virus in these outcomes was also explored.

Conclusion:  Dietary zinc supplementation resulted in a reduction in mortality and diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory morbidity, episodes of anaemia, skin infections, fever as well as vomiting in children with PEM.  These findings suggest that interventions to improve zinc intake in their management may be of benefit to Basotho children in Lesotho with PEM.

 
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