A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study conducted at Jinja Regional Referral Hospital in Uganda found that a daily 20-milligram dose of zinc reduced all-cause infections by 38% in children aged one to five with sickle cell anemia.
The six-month trial enrolled 100 children and compared the higher zinc dose against a placebo; an earlier study using a 10 mg daily dose had shown no significant effect.
Infections tracked in the study included upper respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, and bacterial infections, which are common complications for children with the genetic blood disorder.
Sickle cell anemia causes misshapen red blood cells that impair oxygen delivery, and zinc deficiency is frequent in affected children, weakening immune responses and increasing vulnerability to illness.
Lead investigators Chandy John of Indiana University School of Medicine and Ruth Namazzi of Makerere University and Global Health Uganda emphasized that the supplement is inexpensive, costing less than $3 per child per year at volume prices, and was well tolerated.
Despite the promising results, the researchers cautioned against adopting the regimen as standard care until findings are validated in larger, multisite trials that also include older children and assess optimal dosing and side effects.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2026.
Future trials are planned to confirm the effect across broader populations and to refine the dosage for maximum benefit with minimal adverse events.
Daily 20 mg of zinc reduces infections by nearly 40% in children with sickle cell anemia
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