Simultaneous zinc and vitamin A supplementation in Bangladeshi children: randomised double blind controlled trial

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effect of simultaneous zinc and vitamin A supplementation on diarrhoea and acute lower respiratory infections in children. Study design: Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. Setting: Urban slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Participants and methods: 800 children aged 12-35 months were randomly assigned to one of four intervention groups: 20 mg zinc once daily for 14 days; 200 000 IU vitamin A, single dose on day 14; both zinc and vitamin A; placebo. The children were followed up once a week for six months, and morbidity information was collected. Results: The incidence and prevalence of diarrhoea were lower in the zinc and vitamin A groups than in the placebo group. Zinc and vitamin A interaction had…