In poor communities around the world, malnutrition and diarrhea often create a vicious cycle. A malnourished child is more susceptible to diarrhea and, when an infection strikes, it can quickly become severe and sap essential nutrients. When it doesn’t kill, this cycle causes stunting and cognitive impairment, and can even delay important educational milestones.1
Zinc treatment is a simple, inexpensive, and critical new tool for treating diarrheal episodes among children in the developing world.
This important micronutrient becomes depleted during diarrhea, but recent studies suggest that replenishing zinc with a 10- to 14-day course of treatment can reduce the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes and may also prevent future episodes for up to three months.2 It is important that the full course of zinc is taken, and that follow-up and behavior-change messages for caregivers are given to ensure full compliance.
In 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF issued a joint statement (available on the WHO website) regarding the clinical management of acute diarrhea. This statement recommended the use of zinc, as well as a low-osmolarity formulation of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), as a two-pronged approach to treatment.
1The Lancet's Series on Maternal and Child Undernutrition.
2Bhutta et al. Therapeutic effects of oral zinc in acute and persistent diarrhea in children in developing countries: pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2000;72(6):1516-22.