After obtaining an informed verbal consent, the infant eligible for enrollment at the maternity ward was escorted home by a health worker to note the exact location of their stay. The mother was advised to bring the infant to the hospital at 4 weeks where baseline information on the infant were recorded and 8 weeks' supply of the zinc/placebo formulation was provided to the parents with instruction for use. The mother, under supervision, gave the first dose at the clinic. If the mother did not return at 4 weeks after birth, field workers were visited home and the medicine was provided as above. The field workers visited the home 8 weeks later recorded the events about the infant and provided another 8 weeks to medicine. After 16 weeks of medication, the infant visited the clinic or a field visit was made to ascertain the state of the infant and was provided with 8 weeks of medication and evaluation was recorded, after 8 weeks.