Effect of vitamin A and zinc supplementation on gastrointestinal parasitic infections among Mexican children

58Citations
Citations of this article
93Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.
Get full text

Abstract

OBJECTIVE. Gastrointestinal parasites continue to be an important cause of morbidity and stunting among children in developing countries. We evaluated the effect of vitamin A and zinc supplementation on infections by Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Entamoeba histolytica. METHODS. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 707 children who were 6 to 15 months of age and from periurban areas of Mexico City, Mexico, between January 2000 and May 2002. Children, who were assigned to receive either vitamin A every 2 months, a daily zinc supplement, a combined vitamin A and zinc supplement, or a placebo, were followed for 1 year. The primary end points were the 12-month rates and durations of infection for the 3 parasites and rates of parasite-associated diarrheal disease as determined in stools collected once a month and after diarrheal episodes. RESULTS. G lamblia infections were reduced and A lumbricoides infections increased among children in the combined vitamin A and zinc group or the zinc alone group, respectively. Durations of Giardia infections were reduced among children in all 3 treatment arms, whereas Ascaris infections were reduced in the vitamin A and zinc group. In contrast, E histolytica infection durations were longer among zinc-supplemented children. Finally, E histolytica- and A lumbricoides-associated diarrheal episodes were reduced among children who received zinc alone or a combined vitamin A and zinc supplement, respectively. CONCLUSIONS. We found that vitamin A and zinc supplementation was associated with distinct parasite-specific health outcomes. Vitamin A plus zinc reduces G lamblia incidence, whereas zinc supplementation increases A lumbricoides incidence but decreases E histolytica-associated diarrhea. Copyright © 2007 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

References Powered by Scopus

Amoebiasis

1138Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Effects of stunting, diarrhoeal disease, and parasitic infection during infancy on cognition in late childhood: A follow-up study

634Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Prevention of diarrhea and pneumonia by zinc supplementation in children in developing countries: Pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials

593Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Zinc deficiency

222Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Zinc supplementation for preventing mortality, morbidity, and growth failure in children aged 6 months to 12 years of age

150Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Metal ions in macrophage antimicrobial pathways: Emerging roles for zinc and copper

147Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Long, K. Z., Rosado, J. L., Montoya, Y., Solano, M. D. L., Hertzmark, E., DuPont, H. L., & Santos, J. I. (2007). Effect of vitamin A and zinc supplementation on gastrointestinal parasitic infections among Mexican children. Pediatrics, 120(4). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-2187

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 30

55%

Researcher 16

29%

Professor / Associate Prof. 7

13%

Lecturer / Post doc 2

4%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Medicine and Dentistry 25

54%

Agricultural and Biological Sciences 12

26%

Social Sciences 5

11%

Nursing and Health Professions 4

9%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free