Oral zinc for treating diarrhoea in children
Citation: Lazzerini M., Wanzira H. Oral zinc for treating diarrhoea in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2016, Issue 12. Art. No.: CD005436.
In areas where the prevalence of zinc deficiency or the prevalence of malnutrition is high, zinc may be of benefit in children aged six months or more. The current evidence does not support the use of zinc supplementation in children less six months of age, in well‐nourished children, and in settings where children are at low risk of zinc deficiency.
In low- and middle-income countries, diarrhoea causes around 500,000 child deaths annually. Zinc supplementation during acute diarrhoea is currently recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF. This review evaluates oral zinc supplementation for treating children with acute or persistent diarrhoea.
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