Zinc is an essential micronutrient for human growth, development, and immune function. Zinc deficiency impairs overall immune function and resistance to infection. Mild to moderate zinc deficiency can be best detected through a positive response to supplementation trials. Zinc supplementation has been shown to have a positive effect on the incidence of diarrhea (18% reduction, 95% CI: 7-28%) and pneumonia (41% reduction, 95% CI: 17-59%), and might lead to a decrease in the incidence of malaria. Zinc has also proven to decrease the duration of diarrhea by 15% (95% CI: 5-24%). Maternal zinc supplementation may lead to a decrease in infant infections. Studies assessing the role of zinc supplementation among persons with HIV, tuberculosis, and the common cold have not been conclusive. Two studies have shown zinc supplementation to decrease child mortality by more than 50%. Zinc clearly has an important role in infant and childhood infectious diseases; programs to increase the intake of zinc among deficient populations are needed.

中文翻译：

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锌与传染病的风险。

锌是人体生长，发育和免疫功能所必需的微量营养素。缺锌会损害整体免疫功能和对感染的抵抗力。轻度至中度锌缺乏症可以通过对补充试验的积极反应来最好地检测出来。补锌对腹泻（减少18％，95％CI：7-28％）和肺炎（减少41％，95％CI：17-59％）的发生率具有积极作用，并可能导致减少疟疾的发病率。锌还被证明可将腹泻持续时间缩短15％（95％CI：5-24％）。孕妇补锌可以减少婴儿感染。评估锌补充在艾滋病毒，结核病和普通感冒患者中的作用的研究尚未得出结论。两项研究表明，补锌可将儿童死亡率降低50％以上。锌显然在婴幼儿传染病中具有重要作用；需要增加在缺乏的人群中锌的摄入量的计划。