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Zinc supplementation in preterm neonates and neurological development: A randomized controlled trial

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Abstract

Objective

To assess the effect of zinc supplementation on neuro-development and growth of preterm neonates.

Setting

Referral neonatal unit of a teaching hospital.

Design

Open-labeled Randomized controlled trial.

Participants

100 preterm neonates.

Intervention

Participants randomized to receive oral zinc (study group) or not (controls).

Main Outcome Measures

Primary: Neuro-development status at 40 weeks post conceptional age and at 3 month corrected age using Amiel-Tison neurologic assessment. Secondary: anthropometry and serum alkaline phosphatase at 3 months corrected age.

Results

At 40 weeks post-conceptional age, greater number of zinc supplemented infants demonstrated alertness and attention pattern normal for their age (P=0.02). Higher number of controls showed signs of hyper-excitability at 40 week post-conceptional age (P=0.001) and 3 months corrected age (P=0.003). At 3 month corrected age, mean serum alkaline phosphatase level was significantly higher in the study group compared to controls.

Conclusion

Zinc supplementation till 3 month corrected age in preterm breastfed infants improves alertness and attention pattern; and decreases signs of hyperexcitability, and proportion with abnormal reflexes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neonatology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, 110 002, India

    NB Mathur & Devendra K Agarwal

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  1. NB Mathur
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  2. Devendra K Agarwal
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Correspondence to NB Mathur.

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Mathur, N., Agarwal, D.K. Zinc supplementation in preterm neonates and neurological development: A randomized controlled trial . Indian Pediatr 52, 951–955 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-015-0751-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-015-0751-6

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