Efficacy of oral zinc as an adjuvant therapy in acute diarrhea in children aged 5-15 years

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Original Article

Author Details : Anil Bapurao Kurane, Saiprasad Onkareshwar Kavthekar*, Varun Ramchandra Bilagi, Poonam Kiran Hittangi

Volume : 5, Issue : 1, Year : 2019

Article Page : 1-5

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijmpo.2019.001

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Abstract

Introduction: Zinc as an adjuvant therapy in acute diarrhea has been proved effective in children aged below 5 years. Presently there are no any guidelines for the use of zinc in children above 5 years  of age. So we studied efficacy of zinc as an adjunct therapy in acute diarrhea in children aged 5-15 years.
Materials and Methods: This hospital based longitudinal comparative study was conducted in D.Y.Patil medical college and hospital, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. 200 children aged 5-15 years, admitted with acute diarrhea with dehydration were included.100 children received zinc (study group), orally 20 mg once a day for 14 days & another 100 were not received zinc (control group). Primary and secondary outcome measures in terms of frequency of loose stools per day at 24, 48 hours and on 7^th day of admission and duration of hospital stay respectively were compared. The data was analyzed statistically.
Results: 75% & 25% children from study group and 27% & 69% from control group had frequency of loose stool ? 5 times and 6-7 times per day at 48 hours respectively. 3% and 78% children from study and 0% and 46% from control group had frequency of loose stool < 2>th day respectively. In study group 88% children were discharged by 4^th day and 76% from control group were discharged by 6^th day with 2 days lesser hospital stay in children of study group. (P <0>
Conclusion: Oral zinc as an adjuvant therapy was effective in acute diarrhea in children aged 5 -15 years.

Keywords: Acute diarrhea, Children, Zinc.

 

How to cite : Kurane A B, Kavthekar S O, Bilagi V R, Hittangi P K, Efficacy of oral zinc as an adjuvant therapy in acute diarrhea in children aged 5-15 years. IP Int J Med Paediatr Oncol 2019;5(1):1-5

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