The added benefit of zinc supplementation after zinc treatment of acute childhood diarrhoea: a randomized, double-blind field trial.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether continuing with zinc supplementation after zinc treatment (ZT) of an acute diarrhoea episode will result in additional clinical benefits beyond ZT alone.


METHODS
Children 6-23 months of age, living in an urban slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh with acute childhood diarrhoea (ACD), were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind field trial. All children received 10 days of ZT (20 mg/day) and were then randomized to zinc (10 mg/day) or placebo supplementation for 3 months. Weekly follow-up of all children occurred over a period of 9 months.


RESULTS
A total of 353 subjects were enrolled, with 93% of the zinc supplemented and 96% of the placebo children followed for 9 months. The incidence density of ACD among those receiving zinc supplementation compared to those receiving placebo was reduced by 28% (2.64 vs.3.66 episodes/p-y follow-up) over the 3 months while on supplementation and by 21% (2.05 vs.2.59 episodes/p-y follow-up) over the 9 months of follow-up. There was no observed effect on the incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) or on growth.


CONCLUSIONS
Zinc supplementation after treatment provides additional preventive ACD benefits to children in early childhood. Larger, effectiveness trials of this strategy are warranted.
Larson
Charles P
CP
ICDDR,B, Dhaka, Bangladesh. clarson@cw.bc.ca
Nasrin
Dilruba
D
Saha
Amit
A
Chowdhury
Mohiul I
MI
Qadri
Firdausi
F
D000208:Acute Disease; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010919:Placebos; D015032:Zinc