The Role of Albumin in Adding Zinc to Vitamin A Supplementation on Taste Aquity and Body Weight in Wested Children

A Randomized Double Blind placebo Pre Test Post Test Control Group Design of a single dose of 200.000 I.U of vitamin A with daily Zinc supplementation was done in wasted children in Bojonegoro. Children aged 4-5 years were randomized to receivied a single dose of vitamin A and zinc sulfate six days a week ( n= 12 ) and single dose of vitamin A ( n=120) placebo for six months. Children were evaluated taste acuity and the changing of body weight every month in 2 months. At the end of the study there were no significant increase of taste acuity in low albumin wasted children ( p>0.005) but significant increase of taste acuity in normal albumin wasted children (p<0.005). There were significant increase of changes body weight in wasted chidren with low and normal albumin levels ( p=<0.005). These result suggest that adding zinc to vitamin supplementation increased taste acuity in wasted children with normal albumin levels However, there was only increasing of body weight in wasted children under five years old with low and normal albumin levels. It could may play a key role control and strategies for low appetite children under five years old. Zinc can affect taste acuity on the tongue that affect the gustducin in mucosa of the tongue, which can improve taste function, so that it could increase appetite of underfive children.