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Reference:
A pooled analysis of the results of trials in 9 countries and on 4 continents showed odds ratios (ORs) in zinc-supplemented groups of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.93) and 0.75 (0.63, 0.88) for diarrheal incidence and prevalence, respectively (2). The data for pneumonia prevention were even more impressive: the OR was 0.59 (0.41, 0.83). Moreover, the use of zinc supplements as a preventive modality has been associated with lower mortality, notably that due to pneumonia (3). Zinc administered as a therapeutic agent to young children with acute or persistent diarrhea also reduces the duration of the diarrhea and is associated with a lower rate of treatment failure or death (4). In a recent study in Bangladesh, zinc given together with antimicrobial therapy to young children with pneumonia was associated with a significant reduction in the duration of pneumonia compared with that in the control group, who received the same antimicrobial therapy but no zinc (5)
1. Jones G, Steketee RW, Black RE, Bhutta ZA, Morris SS. How many child deaths can we prevent this year? Lancet 2003;362:65–71.
2. Bhutta ZA, Black RE, Brown KH, et al. Prevention of diarrhea and pneumonia by zinc supplementation in children in developing countries: pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Pediatr 1999;135:689–97.
3. Brooks WA, Santosham M, Naheed A, et al. Effect of weekly zinc supplements on incidence of pneumonia and diarrhoea in children younger than 2 years in an urban, low-income population in Bangladesh: randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2005;366:999–1004.Bhutta ZA, Bird SM, Black RE, et al. Therapeutic effects of oral zinc in acute and persistent diarrhea in children in developing countries: pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72:1516–22.
4. Brooks WA, Yunus M, Santosham M, et al. Zinc for severe pneumonia in very young children: double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2004;363:1683–8
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