title: Zinc supplementation for acute gastroenteritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gastroenteritis with diarrhea is a common condition in children, potentially leading to dehydration, morbidity, and in some countries substantial mortality. Is there a role for zinc supplementation in these cases?
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Zinc can be found in a variety of foods, and in Canada some foods are fortified with zinc. Zinc supplementation was shown to be a safe and effective measure to shorten diarrhea-related illness in children and to possibly reduce other complications including death. Although the World Health Organization recommends a daily dose of zinc for 10 to 14 days to manage acute diarrhea in children, Canadian children who eat a regular diet do not need such supplementation.
authors.affiliation: BC Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Room K4-226, Ambulatory Care Bldg, 4480 Oak St, Vancouver, BC V6H 3V4. rgoldman@cw.bc.ca
authors.forename: Ran D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Goldman
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D015032:Zinc