Role of zinc supplementation in the treatment of children with culture-proven febrile urinary tract infection

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of zinc plus antibiotics versus antibiotics alone in the treatment of culture-proven febrile urinary tract infection in children

Patients and methods: This randomized control trial was conducted at FFH, Rawalpindi. Children with culture proven UTI requiring IV antibiotics were enrolled in the study (n=70) divided in two groups. Group A was given zinc in addition to the antibiotic while group B received antibiotic only. The results of two groups were then compared or the difference in the clinical response.

Results: In our study total 70 patients were enrolled, 35 patients in each group. Mean age was 7.69±2.5 years in group A and 8.3±2.2 years in group B. There were 62.9% males group A and 60% in group B, females were 37.1% in group A and 40% in group B. Mean duration of illness was 6.9±2.4 days in group A and 8±4.1 days in group B. Efficacy was 82.9% in group A and 57.1% in group B, p-value 0.019. 

Conclusion:

There was early clinical recovery and significant reduction in the time of hospital stay in patients given zinc along with the antibiotic treatment.

Keywords: Zinc, urinary tract infection, febrile UTI