ReviewDiseases (Basel, Switzerland)2025
Zinc Fortification and Supplementation to Reduce Diarrhea in Children: A Literature Review.
Review in Diseases (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Gut microbiome dynamics in acute infectious diarrhea: A conceptual framework from acute dysbiosis toward precision restoration (Review).Experimental and therapeutic medicine · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundZinc deficiency is a major global health issue and appears to be responsible for risk of diarrhea and death, particularly in children under 5 years. This review therefore aimed to summarize the existing literature related to zinc supplementation and fortification for the prevention of diarrhea.
methodsIn this literature review, we discussed the zinc-related biochemistry and pathophysiology of diarrhea and role of zinc in reducing the risk of diarrhea in children. Moreover, this literature review particularly analyzed studies published between 2014 and 2025, including systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials focusing on zinc fortification and supplementation for the prevention of childhood diarrhea. The studies covered a range of zinc dosing regimens (5-20 mg daily), preventive and therapeutic approaches, and combined interventions in children. Main outcomes such as diarrhea duration, severity, recurrence, growth, and side effects were assessed across diverse low- and middle-income populations.
resultsRoutine zinc supplementation helps to reduce all-cause diarrhea and respiratory infections. Zinc supplementation consistently reduced both the duration and severity of diarrhea in children. Also, diarrhea episodes and frequency were reduced in children taking zinc supplementation. Lower doses (5-10 mg) were mostly recommended to reduce vomiting. Combined zinc and vitamin A supplementation further improved outcomes, while long-term low-dose zinc supplementation prevented diarrhea and infections.
conclusionThis review confirms that zinc supplementation and fortification are effective, affordable strategies for reducing childhood diarrhea. Supplementation during diarrheal episodes reliably shortens duration and severity, with long-term benefits lasting for months. Continued research and integrated approaches for dosing and delivery are needed for both low- and middle-income countries.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.