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Effect of enteral zinc supplementation on growth and neurodevelopment of preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Journal of Perinatology volume 42, pages 430–439 (2022)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate effect of enteral zinc supplementation on growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants.

Study design

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) examining growth and neurodevelopmental outcomes after zinc supplementation in preterm infants.

Results

Of eight RCTs involving 742 infants included, seven reported growth anthropometrics at 3–6 months corrected age (CA) and two reported neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6–12 months CA. Zinc supplementation was associated with increased weight z-score (weighted mean difference (WMD) = 0.50; 95% CI 0.23–0.76, heterogeneity I2 = 89.1%; P < 0.01), length z-score (WMD = 1.12; 95% CI 0.63–1.61, heterogeneity I2 = 96.0%; P < 0.01) and motor developmental score (WMD = 9.54; 95% CI 6.6–12.4 heterogeneity I2 = 0%; P = 0.52). There was no effect on head circumference and total developmental score. Evidence is “moderate” certainty for weight and length and “very low” certainty for neurodevelopment.

Conclusion

Zinc supplementation may enhance weight gain and linear growth in preterm infants. There is a lack of data about relationship between zinc supplementation and neurodevelopment.

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Fig. 1: Study flow diagram.
Fig. 2: Forest plots for changes in anthropometric z-scores.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatal Nutrition and Gastroenterology Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Belal Alshaikh, Kamran Yusuf & Madhusudan Guin

  2. Community Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Belal Alshaikh & Tanis Fenton

  3. McMaster University, Hamilton, AB, Canada

    Moaaz Abo Zeed

  4. Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Tanis Fenton

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  1. Belal Alshaikh
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Correspondence to Belal Alshaikh.

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Alshaikh, B., Abo Zeed, M., Yusuf, K. et al. Effect of enteral zinc supplementation on growth and neurodevelopment of preterm infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Perinatol 42, 430–439 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-021-01094-7

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