Abstract
This study was carried out to determine the effects of a zinc supplement on growth velocity. Daily zinc supplements (10 mg Zn++/day) were given to young children with low growth percentiles for a period of 12 months using a double-blind study design. Twenty-five children from 2 to 6 years of age with low height percentiles were studied. HAZ (standard deviation above or below the median for height for age), WAZ (standard deviation above or below the median for weight for age), and hair zinc levels of the test and control groups were evaluated initially and at the end of the study period. Height and weight velocities were evaluated as well. There were no differences in the starting HAZ and WAZ scores between the groups. A significant difference in height velocity was found between the test group and the control group. HAZ score of the test group was found to be -1.58 +/- 0.29 initially and -1.34 +/- 0.36 at the end of the study (P < 0.01). HAZ scores of the control group at the onset and end of the study were -1.49 +/- 0.18 and -1.48 +/- 0.13, respectively (P > 0.05). Weight velocities of the zinc supplemented children were more than the control group. There was no significant difference in hair zinc levels between the two groups either initially (P > 0.05) or at the end of the study (P > 0.05). Results of this study provide support for the existence of a growth-limiting, mild zinc deficiency syndrome in a group of apparently healthy Turkish children with low growth percentiles. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.