Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Neonatal Mortality and Morbidities in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

• Status: Completed
• Trial end date: 2015-04-20
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Zinc is a mineral which has multiple vital roles in many reactions in human body including essential metabolic pathways apart from being an important element in human body. 60% of Zinc passes to the fetus through placenta during the third trimester. Besides, preterm infants lack the capability of absorbing and keeping Zinc in their bodies. These babies obviously need high amounts of Zinc. High dose Zinc is hypothesized to have pharmacologic effects besides supplying the physiological needs. Previous studies did not reveal any adverse effects due to relatively high dose Zinc. In this study the investigators aimed to investigate the effect of high dose Zinc supplementation on neonatal mortality and morbidities in VLBW(very low birth weight) infants.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital
• Collaborator: Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
• Treatments: Zinc Sulfate

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• < 32 weeks gestational age and/or <1500 gr birth weight

• Born in the study hospital

• Being able to be fed enterally, even in very small amounts, regardless of the volume of the nutrient

Exclusion Criteria:

• Major Congenital malformations and/or critical congenital heart defects

• Born in another hospital

• Severe birth asphyxia

• Babies on the intervention arm who did not continue Zinc supplementation during the study period

• No consent from the family

• Death before the 7th day of life