Zinc or vitamin A reduced diarrhea in young, poor Bangladeshi children.

I n t e r v e n t i o n Children were allocated to zinc syrup (20 mg of elemental zinc), 5 mL/d (n = 170); vitamin A, 200 000 IU (n = 159); zinc plus vitamin A (n = 175); or placebo (n = 161). Zinc or placebo syrup was given for 14 days, and on day 14, patients received a vitamin-A or placebo capsule. M a i n o u t c o m e m e a s u r e s Diarrhea (≥ 3 watery stools in 24 h or blood in the stools) and acute LRI (cough, difficult or rapid breathing, and fever).