Selenium for acute watery diarrhea in children
Abstract: Acute watery
diarrhea remains a major health problem affecting infants and children in
developing countries. Selenium deficiency may be a risk factor for diarrhea and
vice versa. Few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of selenium for
the treatment of diarrhea in children.
Objective To determine the effectiveness of selenium in reducing the
severity of acute watery diarrhea in children.
Methods A single-blind, randomized clinical trial was done in children
with acute watery diarrhea, aged six months to two years, and who visited the
community health center in Simalungun from May to August 2012. Children were
randomized into either the selenium or placebo (maltodextrin) group. We
monitored diarrheal frequency, stool consistency, and duration of diarrhea.
Mann-Whitney, Fisher’s, and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests were used to compare the
two groups.
Results Sixty-five children were recruited into the study, of whom 36
children received selenium and 29 children received a placebo. The selenium group
had significantly lower frequency of diarrhea (bouts per day) than the placebo
group on days 2, 3, and 4 after treatment onset [day 2: 3.5 vs. 4.1,
respectively (P=0.016); day 3: 2.7 vs. 3.4, respectively (P=0.002); day 4: 2.1
vs. 2.8, respectively (P<0.001)]. On day 2, stool consistency had
significantly improved in the selenium group compared to the placebo group
(P=0.034). In addition, the median duration of diarrhea was significantly lower
in the selenium group than in the placebo group (60 vs. 72 hours, respectively;
P=0.001). Median recovery time from the the first day of diarrhea was also
significantly lower in the selenium group than in the placebo group (108 vs.
120 hours, respectively; P=0.009).
Conclusion In children with acute watery diarrhea, those treated with
selenium have decreased frequency of diarrhea, improved stool consistency, as
well as shorter duration of diarrhea and recovery time than those treated with
a placebo.
Author: Meiviliani Sinaga, Supriatmo,
Rita Evalina, Ade Rachmat Yudiyanto, Atan Baas Sinuhaji
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160054