March 2011. Volume 7. Number 1

Administration of oral zinc in children with acute gastroenteritis in developed countries has no beneficial effect on the duration or severity of the episode

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Patro B, Szymanski H, Szajewska H. Oral zinc for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in polish children: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Pediatr. 2010;157:984-8.
Reviewers: Cortés Marina RB1, Sánchez Bueno I2, Buñuel Álvarez JC3.
1 ABS Girona-3 Montilivi. Institut Catalá de la Salut. Girona. España.
2Hospital Universitario Dr. Josep Trueta. Girona. España.
3Àrea Bàsica de Salut Girona-4. Institut Català de la Salut. Girona. España.
Correspondence: Rosa Blanca Cortés Marina. Email: rbcortes.girona.ics@gencat.cat
Reception date: 13/01/2011
Acceptance date: 17/01/2011
Publication date: 20/01/2011

Abstract

Authors' conclusions: in developed countries, administration of zinc sulfate in children with acute gastroenteritis does not reduce duration of illness.

Reviewers' commentary: with the data currently available, in developed countries with low risk of malnutrition the prescription of zinc supplements for treatment of acute diarrhea in children is not indicated. However, we only have this clinical trial. It would be pertinent to conduct studies placed in primary care to examine whether zinc supplementation can decrease the percentage of admissions and consultations in hospital emergency departments. At the hospital level, future studies should aim to determine whether supplementation with zinc has any effect on length of hospital stay.

How to cite this article

Cortés Marina RB, Sánchez Bueno I, Buñuel Álvarez JC. La administración de zinc oral en niños con gastroenteritis aguda en países desarrollados no tiene efecto beneficioso sobre la duración o gravedad del episodio. Evid Pediatr. 2011;7:9.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Patro B, Szymanski H, Szajewska H. Oral zinc for the treatment of acute gastroenteritis in polish children: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Pediatr. 2010;157:984-8.
Reviewers: Cortés Marina RB1, Sánchez Bueno I2, Buñuel Álvarez JC3.
1 ABS Girona-3 Montilivi. Institut Catalá de la Salut. Girona. España.
2Hospital Universitario Dr. Josep Trueta. Girona. España.
3Àrea Bàsica de Salut Girona-4. Institut Català de la Salut. Girona. España.
Correspondence: Rosa Blanca Cortés Marina. Email: rbcortes.girona.ics@gencat.cat
Reception date: 13/01/2011
Acceptance date: 17/01/2011
Publication date: 20/01/2011

How to cite this article

Cortés Marina RB, Sánchez Bueno I, Buñuel Álvarez JC. La administración de zinc oral en niños con gastroenteritis aguda en países desarrollados no tiene efecto beneficioso sobre la duración o gravedad del episodio. Evid Pediatr. 2011;7:9.

References

  1. Lazzerini M, Ronfani L. Oral zinc for treating diarrhoea in children.Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005436. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005436.pub2.
  2. Muñoz Vicente E, Bretón Martínez JR, Ros Díez A, Rodríguez García A, Casado Sánchez B, Hernández Marco R; Grupo de Estudio de Enfermedades Infecciosas de Pediatría del Hospital Doctor Peset. Gastroenteritis aguda infecciosa en urgencias de un hospital urbano. An Pediatr (Barc). 2008;68:432-8.
  3. Bernaola Aponte G, Aparicio Sánchez JL. La administración oral de zinc disminuye la duración de la diarrea aguda y de la diarrea persistente. Evid Pediatr. 2008;4:38.
  4. Gregorio GV, Dans LF, Cordero CP, Panelo CA. Zinc supplementation reduced cost and duration of acute diarrhea in children. J Clin Epidemiol. 2007;60:560-6.

20/01/2011

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