Assessment of role of zinc in the management of acute diarrhea in children at a teaching hospital

ABSTRACT

Background: Pediatric diarrhea is one of the major causes of childhood mortality around the world. Oral rehydrationtherapy (ORT) along with zinc supplementation can reduce the irrational antimicrobial use and stay in hospital. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the role of zinc in reduction of stool frequency and duration of diarrheal episode. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was performed for 12 months at pediatric in-patient unit of BRIMS teaching hospital, Bidar. We evaluated 400 prescriptions of acute diarrhea cases for the role of zinc based on reduction of stool frequency and decrease in the duration of diarrheal episode. Results: A study revealed a very statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001) in both stool frequencies during the 3rd–5th day and there was reduction in mean duration of diarrheal episode in the group treated with ORT/parenteral rehydration+ zinc. Conclusion: We observed significant decrease in both stool frequency and mean duration of diarrheal episodes in the group treated with ORT/parenteral rehydration+ zinc as compared to ORT/parenteral rehydration alone. Thus, we recommend practitioners to use ORS and zinc which reduces the stay in hospital and helps in faster recovery. And also, it would definitely reduce the practice of polypharmacy and inappropriate antibiotic prescribing practices.