Efficacy of zinc supplementation for neonatal sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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#dietary-supplements #humans #infant-newborn #neonatal-sepsis #trace-elements

Efficacy of zinc supplementation for neonatal sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tang et al., 2019 | J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tang Zhijun, Wei Zonghui, ... Wu Yongdei. Efficacy of zinc supplementation for neonatal sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2019-Apr;32(7):1213-1218. doi:10.1080/14767058.2017.1402001

Abstract

Background: Zinc supplementation has some potential in treating neonatal sepsis. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy of zinc supplementation for neonatal sepsis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library databases are systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of zinc supplementation in neonatal sepsis are included. Two investigators independently search articles, extract the data, and assessed the quality of included studies. Meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model. Results: Four RCTs involving 986 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention in neonatal sepsis, zinc supplementation is able to significantly reduce mortality rate (risk ratio (RR) = 0.48; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 0.25-0.94; p = .03) and improve serum zinc (mean difference (MD) = 81.97; 95% CI = 34.57-129.37; p = .0007), but has no remarkable influence on hospital stay (MD = -4.51; 95% CI = -15.08 to 6.05; p = .40) and the number of expired patients (RR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.24-1.65; p = .35). Conclusions: Zinc supplementation may significantly reduce mortality rate and improve serum zinc in neonatal sepsis, but has no substantial influence on hospital stay and the number of expired patients.

Key Findings

Four RCTs involving 986 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention in neonatal sepsis, zinc supplementation is able to significantly reduce mortality rate (risk ratio (RR) = 0.48; 95% confidence intervals (CIs) = 0.25-0.94; p = .03) and improve serum zinc (mean difference (MD) = 81.97; 95% CI = 34.57-129.37; p = .0007), but has no remarkable influence on hospital stay (MD = -4.51; 95% CI = -15.08 to 6.05; p = .40) and the number of expired patients (R

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 986
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Neonatal Sepsis
  • Trace Elements
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09