Zinc reduces the incidence of pneumonia

Zinc supplementation reduces the incidence of pneumonia in children living in a slum community in New Delhi, India. In a randomised controlled trial by Bhandari and colleagues (p 1358), daily elemental zinc supplementation, together with a single dose of vitamin A, reduced the risk of pneumonia substantially more than in children who received daily placebo and vitamin A. The incidence of lower respiratory tract infections was the same in both groups. The authors say that measures to improve zinc status through food fortification or dietary diversification are warranted.

(Credit: PANOS)

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Relevant Article

Effect of routine zinc supplementation on pneumonia in children aged 6 months to 3 years: randomised controlled trial in an urban slum

Nita Bhandari, Rajiv Bahl, Sunita Taneja, Tor Strand, Kåre Mølbak, Rune Johan Ulvik, Halvor Sommerfelt, and Maharaj K Bhan
BMJ 2002 324: 1358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]