1) To investigate the effects of short-term zinc supplementation, provided either as a dispersible tablet containing zinc sulfate ("ZinCfant," Nutriset Ltd; Malaunay, France) or as a liquid ZnSO4 solution, on changes in serum zinc concentration, compared with a placebo in young Burkinabe children; and 2) to assess the relationship between change in serum zinc concentration and the presence of altered intestinal permeability within each treatment group.