Zinc and Vitamin A Co-Supplementation and Recovery from Acute Diarrhoeal Illness in Young Children: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22337874Keywords:
vitamin A, acute diarrhoea, child health, micronutrient co-supplementation, zinc supplementationAbstract
Background: Diarrhoea remains a leading cause of child mortality, and zinc and vitamin A deficiencies commonly overlap in
affected populations. Objective: To synthesise evidence on whether zinc and vitamin A, alone or combined, accelerate recovery
from acute diarrhoeal illness. Methods: Narrative review of published trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Findings:
Zinc consistently shortens diarrhoea duration and reduces recurrence, whereas vitamin A shows weaker effects, and combined
regimens show limited additive benefit. Conclusions: Zinc should remain the primary adjunct to oral rehydration therapy, with
vitamin A reserved for prophylactic use.
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