Publication: Efficacy of zinc supplementation in the management of acute diarrhoea: a randomised controlled trial
0
0
Issued Date
2020
Resource Type
File Type
application/pdf
ISSN
20469047
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85074011772
Rights Holder(s)
Scopus
Bibliographic Citation
Paediatrics and International Child Health. Vol 40, No.2 (2020), p.105-110
Suggested Citation
Rerksuppaphol L., Rerksuppaphol S. Efficacy of zinc supplementation in the management of acute diarrhoea: a randomised controlled trial. Paediatrics and International Child Health. Vol 40, No.2 (2020), p.105-110. doi:10.1080/20469047.2019.1673548 Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/4594
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Zinc has been recommended for the treatment of acute diarrhoea; however, there are heterogeneous reports regarding its efficacy. Aim: This study investigated the efficacy of zinc supplementation on the treatment outcomes of children admitted to hospital with acute diarrhoea. Methods: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in the Srinakharinwirot University Hospital’s Paediatric Department, Thailand. Eligible children were randomly allocated to receive either zinc bisglycinate (15 mg elemental zinc) or a placebo. The study protocol was registered in the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR20190423004). Results: Of 86 patients, 50 (58.1%) were male and the mean age (range) was 2.5 years (6 months to 9.3 years). The median (IQR) number of hours to recovery from diarrhoea was significantly less in the zinc group than in the controls [44 (24–48) vs 52 (36–80) hours, respectively, p < 0.01]. The median (IQR) number of stools was significantly lower in the zinc group [5 (3–12)] than in the controls [7 (4–17), p = 0.02]. The median (IQR) duration of intravenous fluid therapy was 40 (24–56) hours in the zinc group and 56 (40–73) in the control group (p < 0.01). The duration of hospitalisation was 60 (44–72) hours in the zinc group and 84 (56–136) hours in the controls (p < 0.01). There was good compliance by all participants in both groups. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation can reduce the time to resolution of acute diarrhoea, the length of hospital stay and the frequency of stools. Zinc supplementation is recommended as a routine strategy for Thai children with acute diarrhoea. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Subject(s)
Placebo
Zinc
Acute diarrhea
Article
Child
Controlled study
Double blind procedure
Drug efficacy
Female
Hospital admission
Hospitalization
Human
Infant
Intravenous drug administration
Major clinical study
Male
Patient compliance
Pediatric ward
Randomized controlled trial
Supplementation
Thailand
Treatment outcome
University hospital
Zinc
Acute diarrhea
Article
Child
Controlled study
Double blind procedure
Drug efficacy
Female
Hospital admission
Hospitalization
Human
Infant
Intravenous drug administration
Major clinical study
Male
Patient compliance
Pediatric ward
Randomized controlled trial
Supplementation
Thailand
Treatment outcome
University hospital