Zinc for Severe Diarrhea

Published: 3/10/2008

A look at research on severe diarrhea in children in developing countries may offer a new tool for pediatricians here in the U.S. In developing countries, where the drinking water may be full of bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Infectious diarrhea is responsible for almost a quarter of the deaths of children under five, and a total of about 2.5 million children of all ages a year. A recent analysis of studies done in countries where children are most threatened has found that the addition of zinc supplementation to the usual oral-rehydration therapy to replace lost fluids and electrolytes reduces the severity and the duration of diarrheal illness.

Zinc is an essential nutrient. Our bodies don’t produce it so we must get it from meat, eggs, fish, dairy, and whole-grain foods or from supplements. Adequate levels of zinc strengthen the immune system and protect cell membranes by reducing the damage done by oxidative stress. Zinc appears to be lost in large amounts during a diarrheal illness, and replacing it speeds healing.

What’s the take home? If diarrhea lasts for more than five days, you should talk to your pediatrician. Ask about giving your child 15-20 mg. of zinc a day in addition to oral-rehydration therapies such as Pedialyte. Supplement with zinc for the duration of the illness and for about a week afterward. Zinc sulfate, zinc gluconate, and zinc acetate were the forms found to be effective in children over 15 months in the studies.

Pediatrics, February 2008