Zinc Supplementation in Children with Acute Diarrhea

Background: To evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on the outcome of acute diarrhea by comparing it with standard management of acute diarrhea in children. Methods: In this interventional study, total 100 patients, 6 months to 5 years of age were enrolled and were randomly allocated in Group A or Group B . Group A was treated with standard management of acute diarrhoea whereas Group B was given zinc supplementation in addition to standard management protocols. Children were monitored for stool frequency, consistency , state of hydration and any complicating factor. Results: The frequency of stools in group A and B reduced from 16.1 + 4.4 8 stools/day and 15.66+ 4.24 stools/day to 6.80+ 1.99 stools/day and 1.78+ 1.79 stools/day respectively. The consistency of stools in group A and B changed from 3.9 and 3.8 on day one to 2.14 and 1.68 , respectively , on day 7. Conclusion: The zinc supplementation had no effect on the outcome of acute diarrhoea in children. There was no significant reduction in the severity of acute diarrhoea in the children who were given the zinc supplements, in comparison to those who were managed with the standard treatment protocol

Rota Virus Gastroenteritis in Children Upto Five years of Age

Background: To estimate the proportion and peak age of rotavirus diarrhoea among children of age two months to five years Methods: In this descriptive study five hundred patients with acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) were screened for rotavirus. Stool sample of about 5 ml was taken & tested in the laboratory for group A rotavirus antigen by Enzyme immunoassays (EIA). Results: Mean age of patients with AWD was 12.5 months . Out of 500 patients 147 ( 29.4%) were positive for group A rotavirus. Majority of positive patients 116/147 (78.9%) were in the age group 2 months to 12 months. Conclusions: As there are many types of rotavirus i.e. A, B, C, D, and E so overall burden for all serotypes will be much higher. Rotavirus vaccine is an effective preventive measure available against rotavirus diarrhe