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Zinc for the treatment of diarrhoea: effect on diarrhoea morbidity, mortality and incidence of future episodes

Zinc supplementation for the treatment of diarrhoea has been shown to decrease the duration and severity of the diarrhoeal episode, diarrhoea hospitalization rates and, in some studies, all-cause mortality. Using multiple outcome measures, this study found that zinc supplementation decreased the proportion of diarrhoeal episodes which lasted beyond 7 days, risk of hospitalization, all-cause mortality and diarrhoea mortality. Using diarrhoea hospitalizations as the closest and most conservative possible proxy for diarrhoea mortality, the study estimates that zinc for the treatment of diarrhoea decreases diarrhoea mortality by 23%. Therefore, the authors conclude that zinc is an effective therapy for diarrhoea and will decrease diarrhoea morbidity and mortality when introduced and scaled-up in low-income countries. Download the full report for a more detailed explanation of the methodology and results.