Maternal gestational zinc supplementation does not influence multiple aspects of child development at 54 mo of age in Peru

Background: Zinc is necessary for central nervous system development, and maternal zinc status has been associated with developmental differences in offspring. Objective: The objective was to evaluate differences in cognitive, social, and behavioral function in Peruvian children at 54 mo of age whose mothers participated during pregnancy in a zinc supplementation trial. Design: We attempted to follow up 205 children from a prenatal zinc supplementation trial and present data on 184 (90%) children - 86 whose mothers took 25 mg zinc/d in addition to 60 mg iron and 250 μg folic acid and 98 whose mothers took iron and folic acid only. Following a standardized protocol, we assessed children's intelligence, language and number skills, representational ability, interpersonal understanding, and adaptive behavior and behavioral adjustment. We also assessed aspects of the mother (eg, age, education, verbal intelligence, stresses, and social support in parenting) and the home environment [HOME (Home Observation for the Measurement of the Environment) inventory]. Results: No differences were observed between any of the tests used to characterize cognitive, social, or behavioral development (P > 0.05). Child sex, parity, or treatment compliance did not modify the effects of supplementation on any outcomes. Conclusion: The addition of zinc to prenatal supplements did not influence developmental outcomes in Peruvian children when assessed at 4.5 y of age.