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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare different forms of zinc supplementation in acute diarrhea. Background Diarrheal diseases pose a public health problem on a global scale, especially in developing countries. In 2004, zinc and oral rehydration solution (ORS) were recommended by WHO for the treatment of diarrhea. Materials and methods This study was conducted on 40 patients with acute diarrhea, who were able to accept oral fluids or feeds (both sexes, aged 3-53 months), hospitalized in the pediatric department of Aga Hospital, between May 2012 and May 2013, and 20 healthy infants/children as controls. The study included three groups: group 1 comprised 20 infants/children with acute diarrhea who received zinc syrup and were rehydrated with ORS only; group 2 comprised 20 infants/children who presented with diarrhea and received zinc incorporated in ORS; and group 3 comprised 20 normal infants/children. Venous blood samples were collected before and after zinc supplementation in groups 1 and 2 and only one sample was collected for control group 3. All patients had some level of dehydration. Colorimetric test for the determination of zinc level in serum was used, and statistical analysis of the data was carried out using Excel for figures and SPSS version 16. Results No significant difference was found in the zinc effect between zinc syrup and zinc incorporated in ORS in acute diarrhea treatment. Zinc level in the group that received zinc syrup was 79.7 ± 14.4 and that in the group that received zinc powder was 73.5 ± 13.2. Conclusion The study concluded that there was no significant difference in zinc effect between zinc syrup and zinc incorporated in ORS in cases with acute diarrhea.

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