The Effect of Zinc Supplementation on The Duration of Acute Watery Diarrhea in Children Age 6 Months To 5 Years Old

Introduction: Health burden of acute watery diarrhea in children aged 6 months to 5 years is quite significant. Zinc supplementation could potentially be an effective, affordable intervention which is seldomly investigated locally. Hence the study was planned aimed to explore the potential impact of oral zinc supplementation on the duration of acute watery diarrhea in children aged 6 months to 5 years. Results of the study could benefit clinicians in providing better treatment could plan and improve outcomes in acute diarrheal illness in children. Materials and methods: This randomized controlled trial was carried out at the department of Pediatrics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, during the period August 2024 to January 2025. A total of 212 (106 in each group), male and female patients aging 6 months to 4 years presenting with acute diarrhoeal illness were assigned to group A (with zinc supplementation) and B (with zinc supplementation). Efficacy (time to diarrhea resolution) was compared in both groups. Results: The mean age of the participants in group A (with zinc) was 2.69±1.19 years compared to 2.75±1.21 years in group B (without zinc). Male participants were 64 (60.4%) in group A while 56 (52.8%) in group B. 64 patients (60.4%) patients reported passing loose stools in group A compared to 50 (47.2%) in group B. 36 patients (34.0%) were breast bed in group A compared to 40 (37.7%) in group B. The mean time to resolution of diarrhea (efficacy) in group A (with zinc) was 3.34±1.27 days and 4.74±1.56 days in group B (without zinc). The p value for mean difference in efficacy was 0.000. Conclusion: Mean time to resolution of diarrhea was significantly lower in patients receiving zinc compared to patients who did not receive it showing the potential beneficial role of zinc in acute diarrheal illness in children.