Optimal Amount of Zinc to Include in a Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement (LNS)

A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Trial in Rural Burkina Faso to Determine the Optimal Amount of Zinc to Include in a Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement (LNS). Part of the iLiNS Study

To assess zinc-related biochemical and functional responses among young Burkinabe children with a presumed high risk of zinc deficiency who receive micronutrient products containing different amounts of zinc, provided with or between meals.

Young healthy children will be identified by periodic consensus in the study area. 3200 infants meeting a set of eligibility criteria will be randomly assigned to receive lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) with different amounts of zinc and a placebo or zinc supplement from 9 to 18 months of age. The families will receive the respective supplement at weekly intervals and the participants undergo a morbidity evaluation weekly, anthropometric evaluation at 9, 12, 15 and 18 months and laboratory analyses at enrollment and at 18 months of age. Growth outcomes will be analyzed during the two-year follow up at 24, 30, 36 and 42 months of age.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 9.0 to 9.9 mo of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• severe anemia
• severely malnourished
• presence of bipedal oedema
• severe illness
• congenital abnormalities
• chronic medical condition
• known HIV infection of mother or infant
• history of peanut allergy
• history of anaphylaxis or serious allergic reaction to any substance