Zinc and Multivitamin Supplementation Have Contrasting Effects on Infant Iron Status: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND—Zinc supplementation adversely affects iron status in animal and adult human studies but few, trials have included young infants. OBJECTIVE—To determine the effects of zinc and multivitamin supplementation on infant hematologic and iron status. METHODS—In a double-blind RCT, Tanzanian infants were randomized to daily, oral zinc (Zn), multivitamins (MV), Zn and MV, or placebo treatment arms at age 6 wk. Hemoglobin