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Zinc sulfate is used medically as a dietary supplement. [1] Specifically it is used to treat zinc deficiency and to prevent the condition in those at high risk. [1] This includes use together with oral rehydration therapy for children who have diarrhea. [2] General use is not recommended. [1] It may be taken by mouth or by injection into a vein ...
Therapy can include the use of zinc supplements to reduce the duration of diarrhea in infants and children under the age of 5. [1] Use of oral rehydration therapy has been estimated to decrease the risk of death from diarrhea by up to 93%. [2] Side effects may include vomiting, high blood sodium, or high blood potassium. [1]
Zinc deficiency is defined either as insufficient zinc to meet the needs of the body, or as a serum zinc level below the normal range. However, since a decrease in the serum concentration is only detectable after long-term or severe depletion, serum zinc is not a reliable biomarker for zinc status. [1]
Bismuth salts were in use in Europe by the late 1700s. The combination of bismuth subsalicylate and zinc salts for astringency with salol (phenyl salicylate) appears to have begun in the US in the early 20th century as a remedy for life-threatening diarrhea in infants with cholera.
Toddler's diarrhea is characterized by three or more watery stools per day that persist for 2–4 weeks or more. [2] [6] Newborns and infants may normally have soft and frequent stools; however, any noticeable changes in stool frequency or form (i.e. watery) can indicate toddler's diarrhea. [7]
Zinc supplementation is recommended in children. [2] Antibiotics are generally not needed. [14] However, antibiotics are recommended for young children with a fever and bloody diarrhea. [1] In 2015, there were two billion cases of gastroenteritis, resulting in 1.3 million deaths globally.
The procedure is to take the child's weight in pounds, divide by 150 lb, and multiply the fractional result by the adult dose to find the equivalent child dosage.For example, if an adult dose of medication calls for 30 mg and the child weighs 30 lb, divide the weight by 150 (30/150) to obtain 1/5 and multiply 1/5 times 30 mg to get 6 mg.
Zinc is an inexpensive and effective part of treatment of diarrhea among children in the developing world. Zinc becomes depleted in the body during diarrhea and replenishing zinc with a 10- to 14-day course of treatment can reduce the duration and severity of diarrheal episodes and may also prevent future episodes for as long as three months. [176]