Bổ sung kẽm có vai trò quan trọng trong việc ngăn ngừa SDD qua tác động điều trị sớm tình trạng suy giảm tiêu thụ năng lượng (TTNL) ở trẻ em và các rối loạn có hại đi kèm, góp phần cải thiện tình trạng dinh dưỡng và sức khỏe cho trẻ em. Trong đó, có một số tác dụng của kẽm mới được phát hiện đáng được quan tâm như chán ăn chọn lọc với thịt cá, nôn trớ kéo dài, rối loạn giấc ngủ và nặng hơn là khóc đêm kéo dài đã chỉ ra nhu cầu cần thiếu cho các nghiên cứu rộng hơn.

This research aimed at evaluation the efficacy of  Zn complement in the early stage of malnutrition in children (i.e from the time when the children started its energy consumption decline with fatal concomitant disorders in the pathological cirle). Subjects were children aged 3 - 48 months being in energy consumption decline randomly into 2 groups: one group took in 10mg of  Zn as gluconate/child/day together with iron and multi-vitamin complement (Zn group, n=68), the remained children group took the same elements excepted for Zn (cotrolled group, n=64).

The results were evaluated at some points of  time: energy consumption and weight increase in 30 days; anorexia and vomiting in the 7^th day, 10^th day and 15^th day; constipation after 10 days; sleeping disorders in an average number of successfully treated days; albumin and serum Zn was evaluated on the 90^th day. Subjects with Z – score W/A < - 2SD were evaluated on weight and height after 90 days. The results of  of the research showed the important roles of  Zn complement in recovery the energy consumption decline, preventing the early malnutrition and recovery the fatal concomitant disorders in the pathological circle in malnutritious children such as repeated respiratory infection, and anorexia. Some of Zn’s newly discovered impacts should be taken inton consideration such as meat – selective anorexia, long – lasting vomiting, sleeping disorder and even crying at night. The research also suggested some necessary needs for larger research.