Effect of zinc supplementation on the growth of stunted 12-24-month old children in Delphan, south-west of Iran

Nutritional stunting, which indicates chronic malnutrition, is an important health problem in developing countries. Bearing in mind the critical role of zinc in child growth, this research project was carried out in order to determine the effect of zinc supplementation on the growth of 12-24-month old stunted children in Delphan, Lorestan Province, Iran. This randomized, placebo-controlled, double–blind trial was carried out on 61 stunted children aged 12-24 months in Delphan, Lorestan Province, Iran during 2005-6. They were randomly assigned to receive, daily, either a 10-mg zinc supplement or a placebo for 4 months. Weights and heights were measured monthly and weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height Z-scores calculated, using the SPSS software. In severely stunted children, zinc supplementation improved height and height-for-age increments height-for-age Z-score: -1.48±0.42 vs -2057±0.44 vs p<0.001) and had a positive effect on the weight-for-age Z-score 1.30±0.69 vs -1.70±0.52 Weight-for-height was not significantly affected by the supplementation. Zinc deficiency is a cause of nutritional stunting in Delphan, Iran. Zinc Supplementation can improve height increment in the stunted children.