OUTCOME OF ZINC SUPPLEMENTATION IN CHILDREN (6–60 MONTHS) PRESENTING WITH ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, LARKANA

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To determine the outcome of zinc supplementation in children (6–60 months) presenting with acute gastroenteritis at Tertiary Care Hospital, Larkana.

METHODOLOGY

This descriptive study was conducted from 1st August 2024 to December 2024 at [study setting]. A total of 171 children aged 6–60 months presenting with three or more watery stools within 24 hours were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling. All participants received oral zinc supplementation. The primary study endpoints were cessation of diarrhoea on day 1 and relapse of diarrhoea by day 14. Data were analysed using the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate, and a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean age was 33.6 ± 16.01 months while 110 (64.3%) were male. Diarrhoea ceased within 24 hours in 36 (21.1%). Relapse occurred in 7 (19.4%) of those with initial cessation. Early cessation was significantly associated with younger age (23.5 ± 10.5 vs 36.3 ± 16.2 months; p < 0.001) and urban residence (p<0.001), whereas no significant association was observed with gender (p=0.65).

CONCLUSION

Zinc supplementation exhibited the presence of an observable effect in early cessation of diarrhoea in children with acute gastroenteritis, and there was relapse in a small proportion of those who improved initially. It was found that early cessation was significantly associated with age and residential status, but not gender. These findings reflected the observed outcomes within the studied population.