Table 1 Baseline Characteristics of 4500 children and caretakers enrolled in a zinc dosing trial for acute diarrhoea
n (%) or mean (± SD) | |
|---|---|
Study site, n (%) | |
India | 2250 (50.0) |
Tanzania | 2250 (50.0) |
Maternal Characteristics | |
Age (years) | 5.0 (± 26.8) |
Education (years) | 4.1 (± 7.2) |
Education > 7 years, n (%) | 1990 (44.8) |
Household Characteristics | |
Household wealth index above median, n (%) | 2270 (50.5) |
Improved water, n (%) | 4455 (99.2) |
Improved sanitation, n (%) | 4463 (99.4) |
Child Characteristics | |
Age in months at randomization | 14.9 (± 23.0) |
Age group at randomization | |
6 < 12 months, n (%) | 1256 (27.9) |
12 to < 24 months, n (%) | 1477 (32.8) |
24 to < 60 months, n (%) | 1767 (39.3) |
Male, n (%) | 2345 (52.1) |
Breastfeeding on day before enrolment, n (%) | 2586 (57.6) |
Rotavirus vaccination, n (%) | 2238 (49.7) |
Duration of diarrhoea before enrolment | |
≤ 24 h, n (%) | 165 (3.7) |
25 to 48 h, n (%) | 3714 (82.5) |
49 to < 72 h, n (%) | 621 (13.8) |
Number of loose or watery stools the child passed in previous 24 h | 5.7 (± 2.1) |
Dysentery, n (%) | 167 (3.7) |
Some dehydration, n (%) | 56 (1.2) |
Axillary temperature > 38 °C, n (%) | 122 (2.7) |
Observed respiratory rate > 40 breaths/min, n (%) | 255 (5.7) |
Cough or difficulty breathing, n (%) | 1267 (28.2) |
Previous use of antibiotics, n (%) | 96 (2.1) |
Length/height-for-age z-score | 1.2 (± -1.3) |
Weight-for-age z-score | 1.1 (± -1.2) |
Weight-for-length/height z-score | 1.0 (± -0.7) |
Mid–upper-arm circumference for age z score | 1.0 (± -0.8) |
Underweight at enrolment, n (%) | 1034 (23.0) |
Stunted at enrolment, n (%) | 1188 (26.4) |
Wasted at enrolment run, n (%) | 407 (9.0) |
Malnutrition status at enrolment | |
Severe acute malnutrition, n (%) | 47 (1.0) |
Moderate acute malnutrition, n (%) | 593 (13.2) |
Not malnourished, n (%) | 3860 (85.8) |
Plasma zinc concentration at enrolment — µg/dl | 73.5 (24.9) |
Plasma zinc concentration at enrolment < 65 µg/dl, n (%) | 492 (37.6) |