Zinc Treatment to Under-five Children: Applications to Improve Child Survival and Reduce Burden of Disease

Essential Role of Vitamin C and Zinc in Child Immunity and Health

“…68,245,249,264 -279 These data show that suboptimal zinc intake/status is still present in a considerable part of the paediatric population. Considering that, for example, marginal zinc deficiency is associated with about a 50% increased risk and number of days with diarrhoea 181 and that, overall, zinc-deficient children are at a three-fold increased risk of acute respiratory infection, 259,260 these figures are disturbing and urgently require intervention. 234 Regions such as Asia and Latin America are undergoing profound socioeconomic transformations accompanied by a nutritional transition, and are experiencing a progressive increase in obesity and nutrition-related chronic diseases.…”

“…Zinc is also present in nuts, seeds, legumes and S Maggini, S Wenzlaff, D Hornig Vitamin C and zinc in child immunity and health wholegrain cereal; however, the high phytate content of these foods interferes with its absorption. 181,211 Vegetarians, and especially vegans, whose major food staples are grains and legumes and whose diet has a phytate:zinc ratio > 15:1, may have as much as a 50% higher zinc requirement due to lowered bioavailability, but no special RDA has been set by the Institute of Medicine due to insufficient data. 31 Other health authorities have, however, taken into account dietary composition in setting their RDAs.…”

“…Supplementation of zinc, resulting in an improved immune reponse, 231 -233 may also promote rapid clearance of diarrhoea pathogens from the intestine, which is in line with the major role of zinc in supporting the immune system. 181 It is now > 5 years since the WHO and UNICEF released their joint statement recommending low osmolarity oral rehydration salts and zinc supplementation for diarrhoea management, but millions of children continue to die since few of them in developing countries are receiving these lifesaving interventions. For nearly all countries, zinc availability continues to be a major obstacle.…”

“…In children, low concentrations of circulating zinc are associated with an increased risk of respiratory tract morbidity. 180,181 Zinc supplementation to maintain a normal serum concentration may help to reduce the mean incidence of infections (i.e. common cold, cold sores and flu) 180 and was shown in S Maggini, S Wenzlaff, D Hornig Vitamin C and zinc in child immunity and health children to reduce the incidence of pneumonia by 40% -45%, as well as reduce its duration.…”

“…28,42,161,257 -260 Zinc deficiency arises mainly as a result of inadequate dietary intake. 181,261 High levels of zinc are found in 'expensive foods' (e.g. meat and fish).…”