A Comparative Study between Zinc Alone and Zinc with Racecadotril in Acute Watery Diarrhoea

Background:Diarrhoea is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years in the developing world. Racecadotril is a diesterified derivative of thiorphan. The objective of the study is to compare the effects of zinc alone and zinc with racecadotril in acute watery diarrhoea. Materials and Methods: This prospective comparative study was carried out in the Department of Paediatrics, Abdul Malek Ukil Medical College &Jononeta Nurul Hoque Adhunik Hospital, Noakhali during July 2021 to December 2021with ethical clearance from respective IERB.Total 86 Children aged between 3-60 months requiring admission for severe acute gastroenteritis, as evidenced by a Modified Vesikari Score of >11 was included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups,Group-A: Zinc with racecadotril and Group-B: Zinc alone. All the information was recorded in the fixed protocol. Collected data were classified, edited, coded and entered into the computer for statistical analysis by using SPSS-23. Results: Mean duration of diarrhoea was found 35.32±9.25 hrs in group-A and 31.57±11.38 hrs in group-B. The mean duration of hospital stay was 30.39±16.10 hrs in group-A and 41.53±18.38 hrs in group-B. Mean remission time was 49.7±23.22 hrs in group-A and 66.25±29.41 in group-B. The difference was statistically significant between the two groups. Skin rashes were found 4 (9.3%) in group-A and 6 (14.0%) in group-B. Angioedema was 3 (7.0%) and 1 (2.3%) in group-A and group-B respectively. Tonsilitis was 2 (4.7%) in group-B but no tonsilitis was found in group-A. Convulsion was 2 (4.7%) in group-A and 1(2.3%) in group-B. Conclusion: When comparing the zinc plus racecadotril group to the zinc alone group, the mean frequency of diarrhoea, the mean length of hospital stays, and the mean remission time were all considerably lower. There was no discernible difference in the adverse occurrences between the two groups. Eastern Med Coll J. July 2024; 9 (2): 51-55