Is it advisable to give zinc supplements to a child with autism?

Q: Zevit is a vitamin capsule manufactured by Remidex Pharma of Bangalore. About the dose, it mentions that it is used for children above 12 years of age. My grand daughter is autistic and it is suggested I should give her 15 mg Zinc each day. She is 4 years old, 115 cms tall and weighs 20 Kg. Zevit contains equivalent of 15 mg Zinc. I am also told that all other Vit. in this formulation are water soluble. Please advise whether it is safe to give 1 cap. per day to my 4 year old granddaughter?

A:There is no robust scientific evidence that administration of supplemental zinc has any lasting beneficial effect in Autism. Mostly commercial companies are propagating its use through Internet/web based media. Excessive quantities of zinc have deleterious effect on copper metabolism in the body.