Zinc for Infection Prevention in Sickle Cell Anemia (ZIPS): study protocol for a randomized placebo-controlled trial in Ugandan children with sickle cell anemia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is the most common inherited hemoglobinopathy worldwide. Infection is a major cause of illness and death in children with SCA, especially in sub-Saharan Africa where an estimated 50-90% of affected children die before their fifth birthday. Interventions to reduce the incidence and severity of infections are needed urgently. A high proportion of adults and children with SCA are zinc-deficient, and zinc deficiency leads to impaired immunity and an increased risk of infection. Zinc supplementation has been shown to decrease the risk of infection in adolescents and adults, but there are no data on the effectiveness of zinc for prevention of infection in children < 5 years of age with SCA.

Methods/design

The study will be a randomized, placebo-

SUBMITTER: Datta D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6660664 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature