Bibliographic information
GuidelineWHO recommendations for care of the preterm or low-birth-weight infant.
Year of Publication2022
Issuing InstitutionWorld Health Organization
Recommendation
Updated
Enteral zinc supplementation may be considered for human milk-fed preterm or low-birth-weight infants who are not receiving zinc from another source
Recommended in favor
Conditional
Certainty of evidence
Low
Notes and Remarks
Remarks
- The GDG noted that the evidence on harms (decreased neurodevelopment) was uncertain due to verylow-certainty evidence and imprecision.
- The recommendation is conditional on shared decision-making with parents; this includes informing parents about the benefits and risks and the need for further research.
- The GDG noted that there were limited data on the dose, timing of initiation and duration of supplementation. Based on most trials included in the evidence review, the GDG suggests a daily dose of 1–3 mg/kg per day of elemental zinc. The GDG also suggests that zinc may be initiated when enteral feeds are well established, and may be continued until the infant receives zinc from another source.