Impact of supplementation with zinc and vitamin A in growth rate and morbidity of respiratory and diarrhea infections in infants

Supplementation is a simple and effective intervention method in public health for control of parasite and infectious diseases in infants. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with zinc and vitamin A in growth rate and morbidity of respiratory and diarrhea infections.

In a randomized clinical trial, 628 infant between 6-60 month years old assigned to four groups; vitamin A and zinc, vitamin A, zinc and control. After collection of data with a questionnaire, interview and weight and height measurement, they were analyzed by regression and analysis of covariance.

Supplementation with zinc and vitamin A was associated positively with infants weight. It was also observed maximum and minimum of weight difference mean in vitamin A and control groups, respectively. In contrast, no significant differences among four groups in height mean, duration and incidence rate of respiratory and diarrhea infections was observed.

This study showed that supplementation with zinc and vitamin A increases infants weight. However, no effect on height increment as well as preventive effect for diarrhea and respiratory infections was observed.