According to WHO recommendations for management of acute diarrhoea, what dose and duration of elemental zinc supplementation should be given to a 2-year-old child?
- A 20 mg daily for 10 to 14 days ✓
- B 10 mg daily for 5 days
- C 40 mg daily for 3 days
- D 20 mg weekly for 4 weeks
Correct answer: A. 20 mg daily for 10 to 14 days
Explanation
WHO recommends elemental zinc 20 mg per day for children older than 6 months and 10 mg per day for infants younger than 6 months, continued for 10 to 14 days regardless of the type of diarrhoea. The long duration reduces recurrence of diarrhoea over the following two to three months. Option B gives the correct dose for under-6-month infants but the wrong duration.
Reference: Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children, WHO, 2nd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.