Bifidobacterium lactis in Treatment of Children with Acute Diarrhea. A Randomized Double Blind Controlled Trial

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Probiotics are becoming increasingly popular treatment for children diarrhea. Although there are several probiotic strains potentially useful, researches were often limited to certain strains.AIM:To test Bifidobacterium lactis on morbidity of acute diarrhea in children less than 2 years.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted in 50 children (1 - 23 months) admitted with acute diarrhea to the Pediatric Hospital, Cairo University and were randomly assigned to receive in addition to usual treatment of diarrhea according to WHO guidelines; one of two treatments either milk formula non-supplemented (n = 25) or supplemented (n = 25) with Bifidobacterium lactis 14.5 × 106 CFU/100 ml daily for one week. Primary outcomes were frequency and duration of diarrhea and hospital stay. Secondary outcomes were duration of fever and vomiting episodes. Safety and tolerance were also recorded.RESULTS:On admission, patients’ characteristics of both groups (50 cases) were similar. For children who received the probiotics for one week; mean duration of diarrhoea was shorter than in controls (3.12 ± 0.92 vs. 4.10 ± 0.94 days) (P = 0.02), number of motions per day was less than in controls (3.96 ± 0.62 vs. 4.46 ± 0.85) (P = 0.04) and discharge from hospital <2 days was more frequent than in controls (72% vs. 44%) (P = 0.048). There was no effect on fever (P = 0.63) or vomiting (P = 0.54).CONCLUSION:Bifidobacterium lactis probiotics in supplemented milk formula decreased significantly frequency, duration of diarrhea, and hospital stay than usual treatment alone in children with acute diarrhea. Additional researches on other uncommon local probiotic species should be encouraged.

Comparison of Regular and Probiotic Yogurts in Treatment of Acute Watery Diarrhea in Children

“…Furthermore, the use of regular yogurt in diarrheal disorders has a traditional history among people across many countries. Several research teams investigated the effects of regular yogurt and reported its positive effects on the management of diarrhea [37,38]. Pashapour and Iou found that regular yogurt was effective in improving the clinical outcomes of infants with diarrhea in terms of their hospital stay duration, frequency of diarrhea, and weight loss [37].…”

Bifidobacterium Bacteremia: Clinical Characteristics and a Genomic Approach To Assess Pathogenicity

“…Selected members of the genus Bifidobacterium are believed to exert health benefits to the host, including competitive exclusion of pathogens (6,7), modulation of the immune system (8,9), and degradation of diet-derived carbohydrates (10). On the basis of these effects, bifidobacteria are often added to probiotic products in combination with other lactic acid bacteria to prevent or treat diseases (11,12), although the evidence is inadequate. Nevertheless, a growing number of inpatients in U.S. hospitals often receive probiotics as part of their care (13).…”

Роль Адсорбентів У Купіруванні Синдрому Діареї В Дітей

“…Терапия заболеваний, сопровождающихся диареей, включает прежде всего этиотропную и патогенетическую терапию, затем -назначение препаратов, купирующих основные симптомы заболевания, в том числе и диарею. Из методов симптоматической терапии рекомендованы диетотерапия, назначение регидратационных препаратов, ферментотерапия, пробиотики, энтеросорбция [5][6][7].…”