Zinc supplementation during pregnancy and effects on mental development and behaviour of infants: a follow-up study.

摘要: Summary Background Zinc deficiency is widely prevalent in developing countries. supplements given to Bangladeshi pregnant women have been shown reduce infants' infectious disease morbidity. We assessed these infants at age 13 months establish the effect of antenatal zinc supplementation on infant development and behaviour. Methods The study originally consisted 559 who were randomly allocated (30 mg daily) or placebo (cellulose) from 4 months' gestation delivery. pregnancy outcome growth morbidity first 6 was assessed. then selected a subsample 168 383 completed months. When babies this reached months, we mental with Bayley scales development-II, rated behaviour modified version Wolke's scales, measured weight height. Findings controlled for differences between tested non-tested participants, group had higher scores index (regression coefficient=3·3, SE 1·6, 95% Cl 0·2–6·5, p=0·04) psychomotor (5·1, 2·4, 0·2–9·9, than those zinc-supplemented group. no significant growth. children's nutritional status poor, weight-for-age testing strongly related developmental levels, which accounted some treatment effect. Interpretation Prenatal alone poor Bangladesh does not seem confer benefit development. Such should be considered caution.