The effect of oral zinc administration on growth accelaration in children with type I diabetes

Zinc deficiency could be a cause of growth retardation in children with insulin dependent diabetes. In this study 20 diabetic children (11-15 years old) who were under 5th percentile of weight and height for their age were enrolled. None of this group of patients had the signs of sexual maturity. Not any underlying disease such as urinary tract infection or hypothyroidism was detected. The patients were randomly divided into two groups of 10 patients. 10 patients were treated with daily zinc sulfate equal to 25mg. Height, weight, blood sugar and HbA1C were measured at the onset of study, three and six months after treatment with zinc. The other 10 patients were followed as the control group. Mean blood sugar and HaA1C at the onset of study, followed by three and six months later are as follows: (150±30mg/dL, 6.7±3.4%), (140±28 mg/dL, 7±2.3%) and (158±25mg/dL and 6.4±3.8%). According to SDS* formula the velocity of increase of weight and height was significantly more in the treated group compared with the control group (P<0.001). Oral zinc therapy is recommended in growth retarded diabetic children to accelerate the growth velocity.