Zinc supplementation and serum zinc during diarrhea.
OBJECTIVE
Zinc deficiency is very common in developing countries and is more pronounced during an episode of diarrhea. Supplementation with zinc improves diarrhea and might correct zinc deficiency in both the short and longer term.


METHODS
We conducted a nested study within a cluster randomized treatment trial. Fifty children with diarrhea living in the zinc treated clusters, 50 children with diarrhea living in control clusters, and 50 healthy children living in the control clusters were enrolled. We assessed serum zinc at the start of the diarrhea episode, which was 1-3 days after supplementation began in zinc treated children, and again one week after the diarrhea ended and supplementation ceased. Baseline characteristics and serum zinc concentration were assessed.


RESULTS
Serum zinc was low in 44% of healthy children at the first blood draw. Compared to healthy controls, serum zinc was 3.1 mmol/L higher among children with diarrhea who were supplemented with zinc at first blood draw and 1.3 mmol/L higher 3 weeks later.


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc supplementation enhances serum zinc concentration when given as a treatment for diarrhea and helps children maintain a more adequate zinc status during the convalescent period.
Baqui
Abdullah H
AH
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of International Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA. abaqui@jhsph.edu
Black
Robert E
RE
Fischer Walker
Christa L
CL
Arifeen
Shams
S
Zaman
Khalequz
K
Yunus
Mohammad
M
Wahed
Mohammad A
MA
Caulfield
Laura E
LE
D002675:Child, Preschool; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015032:Zinc