Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)

EFFICACY OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTS VS. CONTROL IN ADDITION TO STANDARD TREATMENT IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE DIARRHEA

Authors

  • Zubair Ahmad

    Author

  • Maria Saeed

    Author

  • Misbah Nargis

    Author

Keywords:
Acute diarrhea, Children, Duration, Pediatric, Standard treatment, Supplements, Zinc
Abstract

Background:
Acute diarrhea remains a leading cause of morbidity in children under five years of age, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Zinc has been recommended as an adjunctive therapy due to its role in mucosal healing, immunity, and electrolyte balance. However, considerable heterogeneity persists in global evidence regarding its effectiveness. In Pakistan, limited awareness among healthcare providers contributes to underutilization of this cost-effective intervention, despite its potential to significantly reduce illness duration and associated complications.

Objective:
The objective of this study was to compare the mean duration of diarrhea in children receiving zinc supplementation in addition to standard treatment with those receiving standard treatment alone.

Methods:
This randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Pediatrics, Services Hospital, Lahore, over six months (20 August 2020 to 20 February 2021). A total of 530 children aged 6 months to 5 years, presenting with acute diarrhea (<7 days, ≥3 unformed stools in 24 hours), were enrolled after ethical approval and informed parental consent. Participants were randomized into two groups by coin toss: zinc plus standard oral rehydration therapy (n=265) and standard oral rehydration therapy alone (n=265). Baseline clinical assessment included demographic and anthropometric evaluation. Follow-up was conducted on every fifth day, and the duration of diarrhea was recorded according to operational definitions. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21 with independent-samples t-test applied; p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results:
The mean duration of diarrhea before intervention was comparable between groups (3.52 ± 1.13 vs 3.50 ± 1.14 days; p=0.909). After intervention, the zinc group showed a significantly shorter duration of diarrhea (3.02 ± 0.83 days) compared to the control group (4.52 ± 1.13 days; p=0.000). Stratified analysis confirmed consistent benefit across age groups (6–24 months: 3.13 ± 0.79 vs 4.46 ± 1.14 days; 25–48 months: 2.95 ± 0.83 vs 4.56 ± 1.11 days; >48 months: 2.98 ± 0.90 vs 4.56 ± 1.15 days; all p=0.000). Similar reductions were observed in both male (3.01 ± 0.82 vs 4.55 ± 1.11 days; p=0.000) and female children (3.03 ± 0.85 vs 4.50 ± 1.15 days; p=0.000), as well as across weight categories (7–12 kg: 3.12 ± 0.82 vs 4.48 ± 1.15 days; 13–17 kg: 2.90 ± 0.84 vs 4.57 ± 1.10 days; p=0.000).

Conclusion:
Zinc supplementation, when added to standard oral rehydration therapy, was more effective than standard therapy alone in reducing the duration of acute pediatric diarrhea, demonstrating consistent benefit across age, sex, and weight subgroups. These findings strongly support the integration of zinc supplementation into routine pediatric diarrhea management protocols in similar healthcare settings.

Author Biographies
  1. Zubair Ahmad

    Senior Registrar Pediatrics Department, Services Hospital Jail Road Lahore, Pakistan.

  2. Maria Saeed

    Jinnah Hospital Lahore As Post Graduate Trainee In Gyne & Obs, Pakistan.

  3. Misbah Nargis

    Senior Registrar Pediatric Medicine, Indus hospital QF, NST Campus, Pakistan.

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Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences
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Published
2024-09-28
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Vol. 1 No. 1 (2024): Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences (AJMBS)
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Copyright (c) 2024 Zubair Ahmad, Maria Saeed, Misbah Nargis (Author)

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EFFICACY OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTS VS. CONTROL IN ADDITION TO STANDARD TREATMENT IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE DIARRHEA. (2024). Axis Journal of Medical and Biosocial Sciences, 1(1), 14-24. https://axisjmbs.com/index.php/home/article/view/3