The efficacy of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in infants and children: a review of the current evidence

Abstract

We aimed to systematically evaluate evidence on the effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (L. reuteri) for treating and preventing diseases in infants and children. MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library were searched in December 2013, with no language restrictions, for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses. The search was updated in April 2014. One systematic review and 14 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The use of L. reuteri may be considered in the management of acute gastroenteritis as an adjunct to rehydration. There is some evidence that L. reuteri is effective in reducing the incidence of diarrhea in children attending day care centers. There is no evidence of effectiveness of L. reuteri in preventing nosocomial diarrhea in children. The administration of L. reuteri is likely to reduce crying time in infants with infantile colic in exclusively or predominantly exclusively breast-fed infants, but not in formula-fed infants. More studies are needed. Preliminary data suggest that L. reuteri may be effective in the prevention of some functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as colic and regurgitation. This innovative approach needs further evaluation by an independent research team. Preliminary evidence provides a rationale for further assessing the efficacy of L. reuteri for treating functional constipation or functional abdominal pain. However, it is too soon to recommend the routine use of L. reuteri for these conditions. There are no safety concerns with regard to the use of L. reuteri in nonimmunocompromised subjects. There are also data to support the safety of using L. reuteri in preterm infants. Conclusion: Our results precisely define current evidence on the effects of the administration of L. reuteri DSM 17938 to the pediatric population.

Probiotics for management of infantile colic: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

“…Thus, our current findings are in line with the results of the previously published review [16]. However, compared with a 2014 systematic review focusing on L. reuteri only, in this review we included more trials (3 vs. 7 respectively) involving also other probiotics and more patients.…”

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 shortens acute infectious diarrhea in a pediatric outpatient setting

“…L reuteri DSM 17938 is a new probiotic strain with removed transferable resistance traits for tetracycline and lincomycin from the original L reuteri ATCC 55730 strain. 4 It has been previously reported that L. reuteri DSM 17938 reduced the duration of diarrhea and the length of hospital stay in children requiring hospitalization due to acute infectious diarrhea. 5 A recent meta-analysis of L. reuteri DSM 17938 in children with acute infectious diarrhea showed reduced duration of diarrhea and concluded that outpatient data and country-specific cost-effectiveness analyses are needed.…”

Resetting microbiota by Lactobacillus reuteri inhibits T reg deficiency–induced autoimmunity via adenosine A2A receptors

“…Lactobacillus reuteri ( L. reuteri ) demonstrates beneficial attributes caused by a mutualistic relationship between microbe and host (Walter et al, 2011). L. reuteri DSM17938 is effective in treating and preventing diseases that affect infants and children, including necrotizing enterocolitis, diarrhea, and infantile colic (Urbańska and Szajewska, 2014). L. reuteri modulates the abnormal microbial communities associated with these diseases (Mai et al, 2006; Rhoads et al, 2009; Torrazza and Neu, 2013; Patel and Denning, 2015).…”