Effect of Weekly Zinc Supplement on Diarrhea and Pneumonia in Urban Bangladesh Population

Each year millions of children in developing countries still die from pneumonia and diarrhea (see AAP Grand Rounds, August 2005;14:22–23OpenUrlFREE Full Text¹). Vaccines and antibiotics to control pneumonia and oral rehydration to reduce mortality have been only partially effective.² Zinc deficiency is common in areas where pneumonia and diarrhea are common, and previous studies have demonstrated that daily administration of zinc can reduce child mortality. Research teams from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md., and the Centre for Health and Population Research in Bangladesh conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine if large doses of a zinc supplement given to young children in Bangladesh could reduce the incidence …