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Zinc in diarrhoea — DTM&H MCQ

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HardNutrition and micronutrient deficienciesZinc in diarrhoeaDTM&H

A 14-month-old with acute watery diarrhoea and mild dehydration receives low-osmolarity ORS and continued feeding. Which adjunctive zinc regimen is appropriate under WHO guidance?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — 20 mg elemental zinc once daily for 10–14 days

The best answer is “20 mg elemental zinc once daily for 10–14 days”. Children older than 6 months receive 20 mg elemental zinc daily for 10–14 days alongside ORS and feeding. Zinc is not a replacement for rehydration, and substantially larger or shorter regimens are not the standard recommended course.

Reference: WHO 2024 guideline on childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240103412