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Evaluation of the role of zinc supplementation in treatment of diarrhoea in paediatric patients: a randomized open-label study

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Abstract

Background

Zinc deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal infections, adverse effects on the structure and function of the gastrointestinal tract, and impaired immune function. Recently, oral zinc therapy has been added to the standard treatment of diarrhoea by the World Health Organization, as it can improve outcomes in paediatric patients with diarrhoea, especially those in developing countries.

Methodology

A randomized open-label multicentre study was conducted in 100 paediatric patients with diarrhoea. Patients were randomized to the control group (received standard treatment for diarrhoea, such as oral rehydration solution [ORS], intravenous fluids, and antibiotics as required) or the zinc study group (received standard treatment plus oral zinc sulfate). Patients were followed up until recovery and collection of necessary data.

Results

Of the 100 children enrolled in the study, 50 % were aged 1–5 years and 50 % were aged <1 year. In the overall population, children were treated with ORS (67 %), intravenous fluids (50 %) and antibiotics (77 %). The mean frequency of diarrhoea episodes was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the zinc group than in the control group on day 4 of illness, but not on days 1, 2 and 3. All patients recovered on day 4 in the zinc group, while nine patients required treatment on day 5 in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

In young children with diarrhoea, the addition of oral zinc supplementation to standard anti-diarrhoeal therapy may reduce the time to resolution of diarrhoea relative to standard treatment alone in developing countries.

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Acknowledgments

For permission to conduct the study in their hospital premises, the authors would like to thank Dr N. Kharod (Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad), and Drs M. A. Meman, K. Shah and P. Mehta from the Anand district.

Disclosure

No sources of funding were used to conduct this study or prepare the manuscript. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, A. R. College of Pharmacy, Vallabh Vidhyanagar, Gujarat, India

    Himali N. Patel

  2. Departmentof Pharmacology, GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India

    Rima B. Shah

  3. Department of Pharmacology, Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Anand, Gujarat, India

    Bharat M. Gajjar

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  1. Himali N. Patel
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  2. Rima B. Shah
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  3. Bharat M. Gajjar
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Correspondence to Rima B. Shah.

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Patel, H.N., Shah, R.B. & Gajjar, B.M. Evaluation of the role of zinc supplementation in treatment of diarrhoea in paediatric patients: a randomized open-label study. Drugs Ther Perspect 31, 34–38 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-014-0169-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40267-014-0169-6

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