Zinc Relieves Acute And Persistent Diarrhea

Zinc supplements reduce both the severity and duration of acute or persistent diarrhea in children, according to a study reported in the February issue of Pediatrics.

Researchers from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta looked at data from 22 studies, including 16 that focused on children with acute diarrhea, and six that focused on children with persistent diarrhea. The treatment with zinc supplements reduced the occurrence of both types of diarrhea by about 18 percent.

However, zinc was more likely to cause vomiting especially zinc gluconate compared with zinc sulfate/acetate.

Source: Yahoo News, 19 February 2008; Marek L et al “A Meta-analysis of the Effects of Oral Zinc in the Treatment of Acute and Persistent Diarrhea” Pediatrics (February 2008) 121(2):326-336

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