Write a short note on Zinc in Diarrhoea.

Rationale

• Zinc is an essential micronutrient whose levels fall during diarrhoea (through stool losses and reduced intake).
• Supplementation during and after an episode has clear, evidence-based benefits, and it is a core component of WHO/UNICEF diarrhoea management alongside ORS.

Mechanism of Benefit

• Improves the absorption of water and electrolytes across the gut.
• Promotes regeneration of the intestinal epithelium and restores brush-border enzymes.
• Enhances immune function (antibody & lymphocyte response), aiding recovery.

Dose & Duration

• > 6 months: 20 mg/day; < 6 months: 10 mg/day.
• Given for a full 14 days, even after the diarrhoea stops (this is the part often missed).

Proven Benefits

• Reduces the duration and severity of the current diarrhoeal episode.
• Reduces the incidence of diarrhoea over the following 2–3 months.
• Decreases the need for other treatments and reduces mortality; improves appetite and growth.

10 mg daily for infants under 6 months.

Dietary Sources of Zinc

• Animal foods — meat, liver, egg, milk, fish/shellfish (highly bioavailable).
• Plant foods — pulses, whole grains and nuts (bioavailability reduced by phytates).
• Breast milk provides well-absorbed zinc for the young infant.

Programmatic Importance

The combination of low-osmolarity ORS + zinc is promoted by WHO/UNICEF and India's national diarrhoea-control programme as the standard, life-saving home treatment for childhood diarrhoea.