Could Zinc Supplementation in Pregnancy Improve Infancy Outcomes?

Zinc is a microelement that recently has been more studied in human development and pregnancy outcome. the aim of study is to assess if supplementation of zinc during pregnancy may improve infancy growth and developmental parameters. 190 infants in two different groups (exposed and non exposed) followed via a historical cohort study 6-9months to assess their growth and development. We assessed them by measuring of anthropometric indicators, and also we used DDSTII (Denver developmental scoring test) for evaluating their developmental status. there were no significant differences between anthropometric indicators among exposed and non exposed group (P>0.05), but exposed group showed, significantly high percent of advanced score of development (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results don''t support this hypothesis that anthropometric indexes of infants are related to zinc supplementation of their mothers. Nevertheless, more specified studies are recommended to assess zinc effects on infant development.