Undernutrition in children less than five years of age is common throughout sub-Saharan
Africa. Nutritional deficiencies may lead to less ability to fight infectious diseases. The
purpose of this study is to determine whether zinc supplements plus standard antibiotics
reduce the length of hospitalization in children with pneumonia. Six hundred children aged
6-36 months diagnosed with pneumonia and admitted to Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Dar
es Salaam, Tanzania, will participate in this study. Half of the children will receive daily
supplements of zinc, and the other half will receive placebo tablets (dummy pills containing
no medication). Each child will be followed for 6 weeks after hospital discharge to check for
recovery from the illness. All children in both groups will receive antibiotics and
supportive care to manage pneumonia, according to the standards of care at MNH and Amana
Municipal Hospital in accordance with the Recommendations of the Ministry of Health,
Tanzania.
Phase:
Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)