Zinc Absorption from Micronutrient Powders Is Low in Bangladeshi Toddlers at Risk of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction and May Increase Dietary Zinc Requirements.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental enteric dysfunction (EED), a chronic inflammatory disorder of the small bowel, is suspected to impair absorption of micronutrients, including zinc.

Objective

The objective of this study was to compare zinc absorption from micronutrient powder (MNP) over a range of zinc doses in young children screened for EED with use of the lactulose:mannitol ratio (L:M).

Methods

Bangladeshi children aged 18-24 mo, grouped according to high and low L:M (≥0.09 and <0.09, respectively), were randomly assigned to MNP with 0, 5, 10, or 15 mg Zn/sachet (10 subjects per dose per L:M group). Over a day, fractional absorption of zinc was measured from an MNP-fortified meal and from unfortified meals with stable isotope tracers; total daily absorbed zinc (TAZ, milligr

SUBMITTER: Long JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6377437 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature