Probiotics for preventing and treating gastro-oesophageal reflux/gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) and Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) are common during infancy and can cause substantial discomfort in infants, parental distress and financial burden on parents and the health care system. Effective treatment regimens, however, remain elusive. Probiotics given to women during pregnancy and lactation, and babies may have therapeutic effects when it comes to GOR/GORD. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the efficacy of probiotic supplementation for the prevention and treatment of GOR/GORD in infants.Methods Literature searches were conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included. A meta-analysis of included trials was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration methodology where possible. Results Six RCTs examined the prevention or treatment with probiotics on GOR. There were no studies examining probiotics for GORD. A meta-analysis of 3 studies showed a statistically significant reduction in regurgitation episodes for the probiotic group compared to the placebo group [mean difference -1.44 episodes/day; 95% CI -1.71 to -1.17] but there was high heterogeneity (96%). Meta-analysis of two studies found a statistically significant increased number of stools per day in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group [mean difference 1.26, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.41]. However, there was moderate heterogeneity (69%). Individual studies reported: a decrease in crying time, increased gastric emptying rate, infant length and head circumference, visits to an emergency department or health professional, and loss of parent working days were significantly less with infants receiving probiotic compared to a placebo but more research is needed. Meta-analysis of two studies showed no difference in body weight between the two groups (minimal heterogeneity 23%). None of the studies reported any adverse effects for the women or infants. Conclusions Probiotic therapy appears promising with some evidence of benefit but most studies are small and there was high heterogeneity between the studies. The use of probiotics could potentially be a non-invasive, cost effective and preventative positive health strategy for both women and their babies. Further well controlled RCTs examining the effect of probiotics for GOR /GORD are warranted.