From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of zinc per kilogram of body weight for therapeutic purposes is 0.5-1 mg/kg per day of elemental zinc, as stated in Recommendation 13.7 from the espen micronutrient guideline 1. This dose is recommended for patients with acquired zinc deficiency and can be given orally for 3-4 months.
- The guideline suggests using organic compounds such as zinc histidinate, zinc gluconate, and zinc orotate, which have better tolerability compared to inorganic zinc sulfate and zinc chloride.
- It's essential to note that the dosage may vary depending on the specific condition being treated, such as acrodermatitis enteropathica, which requires a life-long oral intake of 3 mg/kg per day of elemental zinc, as stated in Recommendation 13.8 1.
- The espen micronutrient guideline provides strong consensus and recommendations for zinc supplementation, with Grade of recommendation GPP and Consensus 82% for acquired zinc deficiency 1.
- In clinical practice, it's crucial to consider the patient's individual needs and adjust the dosage accordingly, while also monitoring plasma or serum zinc levels to ensure optimal treatment.
From the Research
Recommended Dose of Zinc per Kilogram of Body Weight
The recommended dose of zinc per kilogram of body weight for therapeutic purposes is not explicitly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies suggest the following:
- A study published in 2020 2 found that lower doses of zinc (5 mg or 10 mg) had noninferior efficacy for the treatment of diarrhea in children and were associated with less vomiting than the standard 20-mg dose.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2024 3 found that zinc supplementation resulted in a greater proportion of children who recovered from diarrhea and a reduction in the duration of diarrhea, but the optimal dose was not specified.
- A study published in 1997 4 found that zinc supplementation (10 mg elemental Zn) reduced the incidence and prevalence of acute diarrhea in children over 11 months old.
- A study published in 2009 5 found that zinc and copper supplementation did not have a significant effect on the duration of acute diarrhea in children.
- A study published in 2013 6 found that oral zinc supplementation (1 mg/kg/day) had a beneficial effect on the duration and severity of acute watery diarrhea with moderate dehydration in children.
Key Findings
- The optimal dose of zinc per kilogram of body weight is not clearly established.
- Lower doses of zinc (5 mg or 10 mg) may be effective for the treatment of diarrhea in children.
- Zinc supplementation (10 mg elemental Zn) may reduce the incidence and prevalence of acute diarrhea in children over 11 months old.
- Oral zinc supplementation (1 mg/kg/day) may have a beneficial effect on the duration and severity of acute watery diarrhea with moderate dehydration in children.
Dose of Zinc per Kilogram of Body Weight
Based on the study published in 2013 6, the dose of zinc per kilogram of body weight can be estimated as follows:
- 1 mg/kg/day of zinc syrup, which is equivalent to approximately 0.05-0.1 mg/kg/dose, assuming 2-3 doses per day.