Role of Zinc in Recurrent Acute Lower Respiratory Infections
Summary
Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are the most frequent illnesses globally. Despite advances in the recognition and management ARIs, these account for over 20% of all child deaths globally.Trace mineral deficiencies have long been implicated in causation and consequences of many diseases. The importance of adequate zinc intake in human health is well documented and zinc deficiency is a large public health problem, especially among children in developing countries.Various studies suggest that zinc-deficient populations are at increased risk of developing diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory tract infections and growth retardation.Among the individual interventions zinc supplementation with universal coverage ranks 5th in preventing under five mortality in India, preceded only in order by breast feeding; complementary feeding; clean delivery; Hib vaccination; and clean water, sanitation and hygiene.Numerous studies have examined the association between child mortality and zinc deficiency. A number of randomized controlled trials evaluating effect of zinc supplementation have found the intervention to be beneficial in reducing ARI and diarrhoeal mortality and morbidity but few studies have found beneficial effect in diarrhea and no or even contrasting effects on morbidity pattern of acute respiratory infections. Whereas role of zinc in diarrhea is now a well established and specific guidelines and recommendations have been given for zinc supplementation in diarrhea, role of zinc in acute respiratory infections is controversial. The contrasting effect of zinc on diarrhoea and acute lower respiratory infection as reported in several studies is a public health concern, because zinc supplementation is carried out in many nutrition rehabilitation units. Further in many of randomized control trials supplement syrups also contained other vitamins, including vitamin A, known to have effect on respiratory morbidity. Most of the trials evaluating effect of zinc on respiratory morbidity and mortality are community based and children with well known causes of recurrent acute lower respiratory infections have not been excluded from the study pool.
Hence the current study was planned to bridge this gap of information and attempts to detect the role of zinc using "zinc only preparations" in reducing respiratory morbidity in children aged 6 to 59 months with recurrent acute lower respiratory infections.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Control: Placebo Control, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Prevention
Conditions
Acute Respiratory Infections
Intervention
Zinc, placebo
Location
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh
Uttar Pradesh
India
202002
Status
Completed
Source
Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00536133
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Caliciviridae Infections
Virus diseases caused by CALICIVIRIDAE. They include HEPATITIS E; VESICULAR EXANTHEMA OF SWINE; acute respiratory infections in felines, rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and some cases of gastroenteritis in humans.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections
Pneumovirus infections caused by the RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUSES. Humans and cattle are most affected but infections in goats and sheep have been reported.
Pneumovirus Infections
Infections with viruses of the genus PNEUMOVIRUS, family PARAMYXOVIRIDAE. This includes RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS INFECTIONS, an important cause of respiratory disease in humans.
Respiratory Syncytial Viruses
A group of viruses in the PNEUMOVIRUS genus causing respiratory infections in various mammals. Humans and cattle are most affected but infections in goats and sheep have also been reported.
Porcine Respiratory Coronavirus
A mutant strain of TRANSMISSIBLE GASTROENTERITIS VIRUS causing mild or subclinical respiratory infections in young SWINE. It may also play a role in post-weaning porcine respiratory disease complex, especially when combined with other respiratory agents.
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