Community Trial of Zinc Supplementation on Preschool Child Mortality and Morbidity in Southern Nepal

Zinc Supplementation Impact on Child Mortality--Nepal

The purpose of this study is to determine whether daily supplementation of young children in Nepal with either zinc, iron-folic acid, or both can reduce mortality and morbidity. Young children in Nepal have numerous nutritional deficiencies and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Zinc and/or iron supplementation may be a cost-effective method for reducing these risks.

Mortality rates among preschool age children in Nepal and many other developing countries remain high despite significant progress made over the past 20 years. There remain significant nutritional deficiencies in these populations, especially important are vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Comparisons: In this study, we are comparing the morbidity and mortality experience for children 1-36 months of age randomized to one of four daily supplementation regimens: placebo, zinc alone, iron-folic acid alone, zinc + iron-folic acid.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All children 1-35 months of age living in 30 Village Development Committees of Sarlahi District in southern Nepal.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Parent refusal