Meta-analysis: zinc supplementation for acute gastroenteritis in children.

摘要: Summary Background  Uncertainty exists regarding the use of zinc in treatment acute gastroenteritis children living Europe, where deficiency is rare. Aim  To review evidence for effectiveness treating children, with special emphasis on data from developed countries. Methods  MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched through November 2007 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) relevant to younger than 5 years age zinc; additional references obtained reviewed articles. Results  Eighteen RCTs (11 180 participants, mainly developing countries) met inclusion criteria. Use was associated a significant reduction diarrhoea duration (13 RCTs, 5643 infants, weighted mean difference −0.69 day, 95% CI −0.97 −0.40) risk lasting longer 7 days [eight n = 5769, relative (RR) 0.71, 0.53–0.96]. No stool volume observed those receiving compared placebo (three n = 606, standardized difference, −0.38, −1.04 0.27). Combined five (n = 3156) showed that significantly increased chance vomiting control agent (RR 1.2, 1.05–1.4). Conclusions  These confirm supplementation can be useful particularly countries. However, role supplements countries needs further evaluation.