Zinc and biobehavioral development in early childhood

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This is a current project.

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Description

This is a clinical trial designed to study the effects of postnatal zinc and iron supplementation on the development of attention during infancy and toddlerhood. Zinc is necessary for growth and development, including the central nervous system, and zinc deficiency, which is common in resource-poor settings, may adversely affect social, behavorial, cognitive and sensorimotor development. The project, located in Lima Peru, utilizes an experimental model in which children receive supplemental zinc (or not) daily along with iron and copper from 6 months to 18 months of age. Beginning at 6 months of age, and at 9, 12, and 18 months, children are evaluated in multiples aspects of development. Children are also followed for their diet, growth and health status. We hypothesize that children in this setting in which the diet is low in zinc who receive supplemental zinc will have better information processing skills, sensorimotor and behavioral development than their counterparts who do not receive supplemental zinc.

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Project Administration

Laura Caulfield, primary investigator

John Colombo, primary investigator

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Project Contact

John Colombo, Ph.D.
Director
Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies
1000 Sunnyside Avenue
1052 Dole Human Development Center
colombo@ku.edu
785-864-4295 (phone)
785-864-5323 (fax)

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In collaboration with :

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

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Funded by:

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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Send corrections/comments/questions to lifespan@ku.edu