title: Zinc, vitamin A, and micronutrient supplementation in children with diarrhea: a randomized controlled clinical trial of combination therapy versus monotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical efficacy of supplementation of zinc, zinc plus vitamin A, and zinc plus combination of micronutrients and vitamins (iron, copper, selenium, vitamin B(12), folate, and vitamin A) on acute diarrhea in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Children aged 6 to 24 months with diarrhea and moderate dehydration were randomized to receive zinc plus placebo vitamin A (group 1), zinc plus other micronutrients plus vitamin A (group 2), zinc plus vitamin A (group 3), or placebo (group 4) as an adjunct to oral rehydration solution. Duration, volume of diarrhea, and consumption of oral rehydration solution were compared as outcome variables within the supplemented groups and with the placebo group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 167 study subjects included 41 in group 1, 39 in group 2, 44 in group 3, and 43 in group 4. All 3 supplemented groups demonstrated a significant reduction in outcome variables (P < .0001) compared with the placebo group. Group 3 had the lowest reduction of outcome variables and group 2 had a speedy recovery, but differences among the supplemented groups were not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Supplementation with a combination of micronutrients and vitamins was not superior to zinc alone, confirming the clinical benefit of zinc in children with diarrhea.
authors: National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India. drpdutta@yahoo.com
authors: Phalguni
authors: P
authors: Dutta
authors: Utpala
authors: U
authors: Mitra
authors: Shanta
authors: S
authors: Dutta
authors: Trailokya Nath
authors: TN
authors: Naik
authors: Krishnan
authors: K
authors: Rajendran
authors: Mrinal Kanti
authors: MK
authors: Chatterjee