EN
The present research dealt with comparing the effect of zinc-vitamin A-micronutrient mixture (ZAMM) administration on the nutritional status of infants with acute and persistent diarrhea. In addition, its effect on the management of both types of diarrhea was studied. Zinc and vitamin A were given as 8 mg and 751 µg retinol equivalent respectively per day. The results showed that administration of ZAMM produced an increase in body weight and a significant increase in haemoglobin concentration in acute and persistent diarrheal cases with a significant increase in mean corpuscular volume in persistent diarrhea cases. Plasma zinc and vitamin A levels showed a significant increase in acute diarrheal infants after supplementation of ZAMM. Certain parameters, reflecting management of diarrhea such as appetite, stool frequency and duration of diarrhea, have been improved after ZAMM supplementation. Conclusion: ZAMM administration improved both nutritional status and diarrheal state in infants with either acute or persistent diarrhea, however its effect was more promissing in acute cases.