Evaluating efficacy of oral zinc as adjuvant therapy in acute diarrhea in children.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of oral zinc as adjuvant therapy in acute diarrhea comparing frequency and volume of stool and duration of diarrhea in children. Study Design: Case Control study. Setting: Department of Paediatrics, Shaheed Muhtrama Benazir Bhutto Medical College Layari General Hospital, Karachi. Period: September 2017 to August 2018. Material & Methods: A sample of 200 children, age 5- 15 years, suffering from acute diarrhea was divided into control and cases (study group). Oral zinc therapy (20 mg once daily) was given 14 days and its efficacy was observed in terms of stool frequency, stool volume and duration of diarrhea. Variables were noted at 24 hours and 48 hours and on 7^th day of hospitalization. Data was analyzed on SPSS statistical software (version 22.0) at 95% confidence interval (P≤ 0.05). Results: Mean ± SD age in control and study group was noted as 9.1± 5.43 years and 9.5±6.02 years respectively (P=0.053). 89% of children of study group were discharged on 3^rd day of hospitalization compared to only 45% from control group.  Zinc treated study group shows significant decrease in frequency of loose stools, stool volume and lesser duration of hospital stay. Conclusion: Oral zinc therapy was effective in decreasing the frequency of loose stools and volume and lesser duration of hospital stay in children.