Role of Zinc in Neonates : Randomized Placebo Controlled Clinical Study

Low Birth Weight is one of the important cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates because of zinc deficient and that might adversely affect postnatal growth. The present investigation was to compare the effect of oral zinc supplementation on growth of low birth weight neonates by randomized controlled trail. 100 LBW neonates between 1501-2499gm were randomized into zinc and placebo groups. Supplemented zinc 10mg/day to zinc group and multivitamin drops to placebo group for 28 days. Measure the weight and length according to study schedule. Primary outcome was increment in weight and length and data were analysed by SPSS. The mean birth weight was 1850.4302.59gm and 1813271.25gm for zinc and placebo groups respectively. After 28days 2595503.32gm with mean weight gain of 25.9911.0gm/day in zinc group and 2322.4472.12gm with mean weight gain of 18.39.38gm/day in placebo group, which was statistically significant. A significant length gain in zinc group compare to placebo group. Zinc group experienced fewer problems like sepsis, hospitalization, jaundice and no adverse effects. Zinc supplementation for LBW neonates was found effective to enhance growth in neonatal period.