Influence of zinc on severity of common cold in children

Cahalafa Shinta Caesar; Mohammad Juffrie; Sumadiono Sumadiono

doi:10.14238/pi52.6.2012.324-8

Cahalafa Shinta Caesar Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta
Mohammad Juffrie Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta
Sumadiono Sumadiono Department of Child Health, Gadjah Mada University Medical School/Dr. Sardjito Hospital, Yogyakarta

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14238/pi52.6.2012.324-8

Keywords: common cold, seventy, zinc, children

Abstract

Background Symptomatic treatment of common cold in children
does not reduce the duration and severity of disease. Since zinc has
been used to enhance cellular and humoral immunity, it has the
potential to reduce the severity of the common cold. However, the
effects of zinc on the common cold have been inconclusive. The
use of zinc to treat cold symptoms deserves further studies.
Objective To determine the effect of zinc supplementation on
the severity of the common cold in children.
Methods We performed a randomized, doubleô€blind, controlled
trial in children aged 3ô€ 5 years who were diagnosed Mth a common
cold at primary health care centers in Gedongtengen, Umbulharj 0
I and Kotagede II, Yogyakarta. Subjects were collected by
consecutive sampling and their parents were interviewed. Severity
of illness was categorized as mild, moderate or severe.
Results One hundred fourteen patients with common cold were
divided into 2 groups of 57 subjects each. One group received
zinc supplementation while the other group received a placebo.
Subjects with fever received additional paracetamol. After 7 days
of treatment, there were no significant differences in clinical
improvement in the zinc group (80.7%) compared to that of the
placebo group (78.9%), Pô€‚O.83.
Conclusion The severity of the common cold in children aged
3ô€5 years was not significantly different in those who received
zinc supplementation compared to placebo. [Paediatr Indones.
2012;52:324-8].

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