PENGARUH SUPLEMENTASI SENG TERHADAP INSIDENS DIARE DAN TUMBUH KEMBANG PADA ANAK USIA 24-33 BULAN

Background: Zinc deficiency is very common in developing countries. Zinc supplementation proved to reduce the incidence of diarrhea, correct zinc deficiency and improve growth and development in children. Objective: To determine the effect of 20 mg zinc suplementation twice a week for twelve weeks in diarrhea incidence and growth and development in 24-33 months old children. Method: A double-blind, randomized controlled study was conducted in several playgroups in Tandang Semarang in December 2010-Februari 2011. One hundred children aged 24-33 months were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Zinc group (n = 50) received two times a week 5 cc syrup of 10 mg elemental zinc and control group (n = 50) received two times a week 5 cc syrup. Diarrhea morbidity information was collected every two weeks through interviews with the parents in their homes. Anthropometric measurements (weight and length) and development (language and visual-motor scores were assessed by the Capute scale test) were measured before and after supplementation. Chi-square test and Mann Whitney test were done for analysis. Results: The mean WHZ score in zinc group was 0.19 ± 0.71 SD. Serum zinc levels in zinc and control groups was low and not significant (p=0.647). High incidence of diarrhea in the zinc group (34%) vs control group (22%) with RR=1.33 (95% CI = 0.89 to 1.95). There was no significant difference before and after supplementation in improvement of weight (p=0.456) and height (p=0.424) in the zinc and control groups. Also there was no significant difference in language (p=0.319) and visual-motor score (p=0.342) between the zinc and control groups. Conclusion: Zinc supplementation does not reduce the incidence of diarrhea and does not affect growth and development. Key words: Zinc, diarrhea, children, growth, development