About 20,248 neonates were evaluated for eligibility at the maternity ward of MR Bangur Hospital of whom 5,942 had <2,500g weight. A total of 2,012 infants were admitted into the study, 1,005 being in the zinc group and 1,007 in the placebo group. A total of 909 infants in the zinc group and 913 in the placebo group completed 6 months of follow-up. The birth weight, type of delivery, birth order and mothers education were comparable in the two groups. Weight, length, head and midarm circumference at 3 and 6 months were similar in the two groups. In a subgroup of infants' blood hemoglobin levels were determined on completion of the study and the mean values in the two groups were similar. In a subgroup of infants zinc supplemented group should a substantially higher mean zinc concentration compared to placebo. The numbers of deaths in the two groups were not significantly different. Hospitalization rates with diarrhea, ARI and all causes are similar in the two groups. The number of infants with one or more episodes of diarrhea was significantly less among zinc supplemented group (by 17%, 95% CI:1 to 35 %). The number of infants with one or more episodes of acute respiratory infection was similar in two groups (p=0.76).