A 14-month-old boy has had acute watery diarrhoea for two days. He is alert and drinking well, with no dehydration. Along with continued feeding and low-osmolarity ORS, WHO recommends adjunctive zinc therapy. The appropriate zinc dose for him is:
- A 10 mg elemental zinc daily for 5 days
- B 20 mg elemental zinc daily for 10 to 14 days ✓
- C 20 mg elemental zinc as a single stat dose
- D 40 mg elemental zinc daily for 3 days
Correct answer: B. 20 mg elemental zinc daily for 10 to 14 days
Explanation
WHO and UNICEF recommend 20 mg of elemental zinc daily for 10 to 14 days in children aged 6 months to 5 years with acute diarrhoea, and 10 mg daily for the same duration in infants below 6 months. Zinc reduces diarrhoeal duration and severity and prevents recurrence over the following two to three months. Option A uses the correct total concept but the under-6-month dose and a shortened course, making it the strongest distractor.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.