An 18-month-old child with acute watery diarrhea of 2 days duration is alert and drinking ORS well. As part of standard case management, what additional therapy should be prescribed?
- A Elemental zinc 10 mg twice daily for 5 days
- B Elemental zinc 20 mg once daily for 14 days ✓
- C Elemental zinc 45 mg once daily for 3 days
- D Elemental zinc 20 mg once daily until stools normalize, maximum 5 days
Correct answer: B. Elemental zinc 20 mg once daily for 14 days
Explanation
WHO and IAP recommend adjunctive elemental zinc for 10 to 14 days with every episode of acute diarrhea: 20 mg per day for children above 6 months and 10 mg per day below 6 months. Zinc reduces stool volume and duration and protects against recurrence for 2 to 3 months. Short courses of 3 to 5 days do not confer the sustained benefit demonstrated in trials.
Reference: Ghai Essential Pediatrics, 9th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.