Toward revising dietary zinc recommendations for children aged 0 to 3 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis of zinc absorption, excretion, and requirements for growth

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#child #child-preschool #humans #biological-availability #diet

Toward revising dietary zinc recommendations for children aged 0 to 3 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis of zinc absorption, excretion, and requirements for growth

Ceballos-Rasgado et al., 2023 | Nutr Rev | Meta Analysis

Citation

Ceballos-Rasgado Marena, Lowe Nicola M, ... Xipsiti Maria. Toward revising dietary zinc recommendations for children aged 0 to 3 years: a systematic review and meta-analysis of zinc absorption, excretion, and requirements for growth. Nutr Rev. 2023-Jul-10;81(8):967-987. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuac098

Abstract

CONTEXT: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization are updating their dietary zinc recommendations for children aged 0 to 3 years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to retrieve and synthesize evidence regarding zinc needs for growth as well as zinc losses, absorption, and bioavailability from the diet. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched electronically from inception to August 2020. Studies assessing the above factors in healthy children aged 0 to 9 years were included, with no limits on study design or language. DATA EXTRACTION: Ninety-four studies reporting on zinc content in tissue (n = 27); zinc absorption (n = 47); factors affecting zinc bioavailability (n = 30); and endogenous zinc losses via urine, feces, or integument (n = 40) met the inclusion criteria. Four reviewers extracted data and two reviewers checked for accuracy. DATA ANALYSES: Studies were synthesized narratively, and meta-analyses of zinc losses and gains as well the subgroups of age, type of feeding, country's income, and molar ratio of phytate to zinc were conducted. Meta-analysis revealed an overall mean (95%CI) urinary and endogenous fecal zinc excretion of 17.48 µg/kg/d (11.80-23.15; I2 = 94%) and 0.07 mg/kg/d (0.06-0.08; I2 = 82%), respectively, with a mean fractional zinc absorption of 26.75% (23.69-29.81; I2 = 99%). Subgrouping by age revealed differences in mean values associated with the transition from milk-based diets to solid food during the first 3 years of life. CONCLUSION: This review synthesizes data that may be used to formulate zinc requirements in young children. Results should be interpreted with caution because of considerable heterogeneity in the evidence. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42020215236.

Key Findings

This review synthesizes data that may be used to formulate zinc requirements in young children. Results should be interpreted with caution because of considerable heterogeneity in the evidence. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number CRD42020215236.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population healthy children
Sample Size 27
Age Range 0 to 3 years
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Biological Availability
  • Diet
  • Feces
  • Food
  • Zinc

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: zinc

Provenance

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