Oral zinc provision in acute diarrhea.

Marzia Lazzerini

Review Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care 2016 13 citations

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Study Design

Study Type: Review
Population: children

Intervention: Oral zinc provision in acute diarrhea. None
Comparator: None
Primary Outcome: None
Effect Direction: Neutral
Risk of Bias: Unclear

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The clinical management of acute diarrhea is based on the use of oral rehydration salts and appropriate nutrition. In addition, the WHO and The United Nations Children's Fund recommend zinc supplementation for diarrhea in children below 5 years. This article aims at reviewing recent literature on the effects of oral zinc for treating acute diarrhea in children. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies confirm that zinc supplementation has a benefit in children below 5 years with acute diarrhea in countries at medium or high risk of zinc deficiency. A few small trials have reported a benefit of zinc in children at low risk of zinc deficiency, with heterogeneity in results. No recent study has explored the effects of zinc in children younger than 6 months, and in this age group previous research refuted any benefit from zinc. SUMMARY: Current literature supports the use of oral zinc in treating diarrhea in children older than 6 months, especially if at risk of zinc deficiency, such as children with poor diets exposed to recurrent gastrointestinal infections. More research is needed to confirm findings in children at low risk of zinc deficiency. Currently there is no evidence that zinc benefits children younger than 6 months.

TL;DR

Current literature supports the use of oral zinc in treating diarrhea in children older than 6 months, especially if at risk of zinc deficiency, such as children with poor diets exposed to recurrent gastrointestinal infections.

Used In Evidence Reviews

A Zinc for Acute Diarrhea

Oral zinc provision in acute diarrhea.

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Study Design

Abstract

TL;DR

Used In Evidence Reviews

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