A importância da suplementação de zinco sobre o funcionamento cognitivo de escolares

Abstract

Zinc is an important micronutrient to human being and its deficiency among schoolchildren is deleterious to growth and development, immune competence, and cognitive function. However, the effect of zinc supplementation on cognitive function is still poorly understood. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of oral zinc supplementation (5 mg Zn/d during 3 months) on Full Scale Intelligence Coefficient (FSIQ), Verbal Intelligence Quotient (VIQ), and Performance Intelligence Quotient (PIQ), using a Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC III). We studied 36 schoolchildren, aged 6 and 9 years (7.8 ± 1.1). The tests were used in basal conditions before and after zinc supplementation. There was no difference in FSIQ by gender and age. Zinc improved VIQ, only in Information subtest (p = 0.009). But, its effects were more significant in relation to PIQ because improved the subtests Picture Completion, Picture Arrangement, Block Design and Object Assembly (p = 0.0001, for all subtests). In conclusion, zinc supplementation improved specific cognitive abilities, thereby positively influencing the academic performance of schoolchildren, even those without apparent marginal zinc deficiency.