Zinc dose in diarrhea of 7 months infant ?
**Core Concept**
The question is testing the knowledge of zinc supplementation in the management of acute diarrhea in infants. Zinc plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the gut epithelial barrier and enhancing the immune response.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Zinc supplementation is recommended for infants with acute diarrhea to reduce the duration and severity of the episode. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend a dose of 20 mg/day of zinc sulfate or its equivalent for 10-14 days in infants aged 6-11 months. Zinc helps to reduce the duration of diarrhea by 25-50% and also reduces the risk of subsequent episodes.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the recommended dose of zinc for infants with acute diarrhea is not 5 mg/day, which is lower than the recommended dose.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the recommended duration of zinc supplementation is not 5 days, which is shorter than the recommended duration of 10-14 days.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the recommended dose of zinc for infants with acute diarrhea is not 50 mg/day, which is higher than the recommended dose.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Zinc supplementation should be started within 14 days of the onset of diarrhea and continued for 10-14 days to maximize its benefits.
**Correct Answer: C. 20 mg/day for 10-14 days.**