Internal collaboration and prospective meta-analysis of clinical trials on the effects of zinc and copper supplements in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in childhood

Dr Michael J. Dibley, Associate Professor Archana Patel, Dr Wan Chaomin, Dr Yang Huiming, Dr Hamam Hadi, Dr Yati Soenarto, Dr K Nathoo, Dr F Chanetsa, Associate Professor Catherine D'Este, Dr Jesse (Berlin)

This international collaboration to develop a series of trials on the impact of zinc and copper supplementation of children hospitalized with acute diarrhoea in developing countries was launched by an International Clinical Epidemiology Network - Research Development Grant. Protocols have been developed for trials in India, Indonesia, China and Zimbabwe. Funding for the trials has been requested from several donors.

In addition, a prospective meta-analysis has been designed to combine the results of the trials from these individual sites. This meta-analysis will be registered with the Infectious Diseases Group of the Cochrane Collaboration.