A 14-month-old child presents with acute watery diarrhea for 2 days. The child is well hydrated. According to WHO guidelines, what is the recommended dose of zinc supplementation for this child?

• A 10 mg for 7 days
• B 10 mg for 14 days
• C 20 mg for 7 days
• D 20 mg for 14 days ✓

Explanation

WHO recommends 20 mg of zinc per day for 14 days for children aged 6 months or older with acute diarrhea. Children younger than 6 months require 10 mg per day for the same 14-day duration. A 7-day course is insufficient to correct the zinc deficiency and reduce the severity of the episode.

Reference: WHO/UNICEF Joint Statement on Clinical Management of Acute Diarrhoea, 2004 ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.