Work

Zinc for the treatment of diarrhoea: effect on diarrhoea morbidity, mortality and incidence of future episodes

Year: 2010

Type: article

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Zinc supplementation for the treatment of diarrhoea has been shown to decrease the duration and severity of the diarrhoeal episode, diarrhoea hospitalization rates and, in some studies, all-cause mortality. Using multiple outcome measures, we sought to estimate the effect of zinc for the treatment of diarrhoea on diarrhoea mortality and subsequent pneumonia mortality. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review of efficacy and effectiveness studies. We used a standardized abstraction and grading format and performed meta-analyses for all outcomes with >or=2 data points. The estimated effect on diarrhoea mortality was determined by applying the standard Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group rules for multiple outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 13 studies for abstraction. Zinc supplementation decreased the proportion of diarrhoeal episodes which lasted beyond 7 days, risk of hospitalization, all-cause mortality and diarrhoea mortality. Using diarrhoea hospitalizations as the closest and most conservative possible proxy for diarrhoea mortality, zinc for the treatment of diarrhoea is estimated to decrease diarrhoea mortality by 23%. CONCLUSION: Zinc is an effective therapy for diarrhoea and will decrease diarrhoea morbidity and mortality when introduced and scaled-up in low-income countries.

Source: International Journal of Epidemiology

DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyq023

Authors: C. L. F. Walker, R. E. Black

Institution: Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Child Nutrition and Water Access

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,514