Novel Adjuvant Therapy with Zinc Supplementation in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#dietary-supplements #humans #infant-newborn #infant-premature #pulmonary-surfactants

Novel Adjuvant Therapy with Zinc Supplementation in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Elfarargy et al., 2021 | Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets | Rct

Citation

Elfarargy Mohamed Shawky, Al-Ashmawy Ghada M, ... Khattab Haidy. Novel Adjuvant Therapy with Zinc Supplementation in Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2021;21(12):2253-2259. doi:10.2174/1871530321666210729113515

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common dangerous chest problem that is caused by a lack of surfactant. AIM: The aim of this study was to show the role of zinc as an adjuvant anti-inflammatory therapy in neonatal RDS. OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of zinc supplementation in cases of neonatal RDS. METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) study was done on 90 neonates suffering from respiratory distress (RD) who had been diagnosed as RDS. The included neonates were classified into two groups: group 1, which received Zinc (Zn) supplementation, and group 2, which received a placebo. Down score, grades of RDS Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) andInterleukin-8 (IL-8) were estimated on the 1st and 5th day in the presence of incubators. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences (SSD) in grades of RDS, Down score, MDA, SOD and IL-8 on the 5th day between group 1 and 2(p = 0.001), and between 1st and 5th day in group 1 (p = 0.001) in the presence of an incubator. There was an SSD between groups 1 and 2 in the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.001) and the number of cases that needed mechanical ventilation (MV) (p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Zn supplementation is associated with clinical and laboratory improvement in cases of neonatal RDS. RECOMMENDATION: Zn supplementation for RDS neonates.

Key Findings

There were statistically significant differences (SSD) in grades of RDS, Down score, MDA, SOD and IL-8 on the 5th day between group 1 and 2(p = 0.001), and between 1st and 5th day in group 1 (p = 0.001) in the presence of an incubator. There was an SSD between groups 1 and 2 in the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.001) and the number of cases that needed mechanical ventilation (MV) (p = 0.049).

Outcomes Measured

  • inflammatory markers

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Dietary Supplements
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature
  • Pulmonary Surfactants
  • Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Rct
  • Publication Types: Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article
  • Vertical: zinc-immune

Provenance

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