Diarrhea is a health problem that is often experienced by children under five years old (toddlers). In addition to adequate fluid intake, zinc supplements are known to help treat this condition.
Globally, the mortality rate for children under five due to diarrhea is still relatively high. Indonesia is a developing country that is still struggling with this. Based on surveys and basic health research conducted by the Ministry of Health, it is known that diarrhea is still the main cause of under-five mortality with improper handling as the main cause.
Reducing Severity Diarrhea
Without proper treatment, diarrhea can lead to nutritional deficiencies, decreased body resistance to infection and impaired growth and development in children. In toddlers, severe diarrhea is at risk of causing dehydration and even death. Especially in people with diarrhea with low immunity or lack of nutrients in the body.
Giving zinc supplements is one way that is used to help treat diarrhea in toddlers, along with giving fluids for rehydration.
Recommendations given by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF for toddlers who experience acute diarrhea are zinc supplements for 10-14 days. For infants under 6 months, zinc supplementation is about 10 mg per day. Meanwhile, for toddlers, it is 20 mg of zinc supplements per day.
In addition, the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) recommends that zinc supplementation be given routinely to infants aged 6-23 months, for at least 2 months, every 6 months.
According to research, giving zinc supplements to toddlers shows positive results. Toddlers who were given zinc supplements experienced less diarrhea, dysentery and respiratory infections. The provision of zinc supplements is also considered to be able to have a positive effect in reducing infant mortality related to infectious diseases.
Supports Cell Growth and Metabolism
Even under normal conditions, the body still needs zinc as a mineral to maintain health. Zinc is known to be beneficial for cell growth and maintain the body's metabolism.
Zinc deficiency will reduce the body's resistance to infection and child development. Unfortunately, the body does not have the ability to store zinc, which is why you need this mineral every day.
Children aged 1-3 years need about 3 mg per day, while ages 4-8 years around 5 mg per day. In adults under normal conditions, zinc is needed about 8 mg. Meanwhile, for pregnant women about 11 mg and breastfeeding women 12 mg per day.
In addition to taking zinc supplements, you can also provide several types of foods that are rich in zinc, such as meat, chicken, oysters, lobster, crab, cheese, oatmeal, cashews, and zinc-fortified cereals.
To overcome diarrhea, the first step that must be done is to provide adequate fluid intake. The use of zinc supplements or drugs to treat diarrhea in toddlers, preferably through consultation with a pediatrician.