Question

The recommended dose of zinc (mg) supplement in children to reduce severity of diarrhea is:

• A. 20
• B. 25
• C. 30
• D. 40

Hint:

Mnemonic: "20 mg for 14 days." This is the gold standard for diarrhea management in children.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks for the standard therapeutic dose of Zinc used in the management of pediatric diarrhea, as recommended by WHO and UNICEF.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

• Zinc supplementation is a critical intervention during diarrheal episodes because it helps the intestinal mucosa recover faster and boosts the immune system.

• The standard international recommendation for children over 6 months of age is 20 mg of elemental Zinc per day for 10-14 days.

• For infants under 6 months, the dose is 10 mg per day.

• Using Zinc alongside Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) significantly reduces the duration and severity of the illness and prevents future episodes for the next 2-3 months.

• It is a low-cost, high-impact public health measure implemented in most developing nations.

Step 3: Final Answer: The recommended dose is 20 mg.