Effects of Zinc Supplementation on the Incidence of Mortality in Preschool Children: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious trials have shown that zinc supplementation can decrease the risk of diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria in children; however, the effects of zinc supplementation on mortality remain unclear. This study aimed at evaluating the benefits and risks of zinc supplementation on both total mortality and cause-specific mortality.Methodology and Principal FindingsWe searched PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials to identify randomized controlled trials in preschool children reporting total mortality or cause-specific mortality. Relative risk (RR) was used as a measure of the effect of zinc supplementation on the risk of mortality using a random effect model. Of the 1,520 identified articles, we included 8 trials reporting data on 87,854 children. Overall, zinc supplementation had no effect on total mortality (RR, 0.76; 95% CI: 0.56–1.04; P = 0.084), diarrhea-related mortality (RR, 0.80; 95% CI: 0.53–1.20; P = 0.276), pneumonia-related mortality (RR, 0.52; 95% CI: 0.11–2.39; P = 0.399), malaria-related mortality (RR, 0.90; 95% CI: 0.77–1.06; P = 0.196), or other causes of mortality (RR, 0.98; 95% CI: 0.67–1.44; P = 0.917). Subgroup analysis indicated that zinc supplementation was associated with a reduction in total mortality risk if the participants were boys, aged greater than 12 months, and the duration of the follow-up period was less than 12 months.Conclusions/SignificanceZinc supplementation does not have an effect on total mortality, diarrhea-related mortality, pneumonia-related mortality, malaria-related mortality, or other causes of mortality. Subgroup analysis suggested that zinc supplementation can effectively reduce the risk of total mortality if the participants were boys, aged greater than 12 months, and the duration of the follow-up period was less than 12 months.

Efficacy of zinc given as an adjunct to the treatment of severe pneumonia: A meta‐analysis of randomized, double‐blind and placebo‐controlled trials

“…Furthermore, Fischer and his coworkers reported 7% of the global ALRI‐associated disability adjusted life years (DALYs) in <5‐year olds are lost due to zinc deficiency . But a previous meta‐analysis carried out by Fu et al found Zinc supplementation does not have an effect on total mortality, diarrhea‐related mortality, pneumonia‐related mortality, malaria‐related mortality or other causes of mortality . However, the effect of zinc supplementation in reducing treatment failure, change of antibiotic therapy and clinical deterioration and mortality of severe pneumonia has not been confirmed by meta‐analysis.…”

Zinc Supplementation and the Prevention and Treatment of Sepsis in Young Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Most published reviews have assessed the effectiveness of zinc for the prevention or treatment of common childhood diseases including pneumonia and diarrhea and those in older infants and preschool children [39, 40]. There is a paucity of evidence on the efficacy of zinc as a preventive and therapeutic agent in sepsis covering the neonatal and young infant age group.…”

The effect of zinc and Vitamin A supplements in treating and reducing the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in children

“…The number of URTI incidences and missing school days were recorded for each patient and used to monitor patient morbidity. [28,29] Investigators monitored syrups consumption and recorded compliance data. Non-compliance was defined as syrup consumption of <75% of the total supplement days.…”