Effect of zinc supplementation on clinical course of acute diarrhoea

Abstract

This report summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of zinc supplementation on the management of acute diarrhoea. All published and unpublished studies on this topic, conducted in hospitals and in the community, were reviewed. Based on the results of this review, it is concluded that there is now enough evidence demonstrating the efficacy of zinc supplementation on the clinical course of diarrhoea, with regard to the severity and duration of the episode. However, the meeting also concluded that effectiveness studies to assess the feasibility, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness of different strategies for delivering zinc supplementation should be undertaken.