Probiotics for treating persistent diarrhoea in children

Abstract

There is limited evidence suggesting probiotics may be effective in treating persistent diarrhoea in children.

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic

“…The panel concluded that the general benefit of support ing a healthy digestive tract was re inforced by evidence gathered on a large number of different pro biotic strains representing commonly studied species. This conclu sion was based on a body of available research, including highquality metaanalyses, on a diversity of clinical end points (such as infectious diarrhoea, antibioticassociate d diarrhoea, gut transit, IBS, abdominal pain and bloat ing, ulcerative colitis and necrotizing enterocolitis [11][12][13][14][15] ), as well as potential mechanistic actions suggesting that most strains of these species can be expected to have such 'generic' or 'core' effects on gut physiology and health. The core benefit of support ing a healthy immune system was considered by the panel to be widely acknowl edged, but probably more strainspecific.…”

Probiotics– the journey continues

“…There is even some evidence that concurrent use of probiotics with antibiotic treatment for an initial C. difficile infection may prevent recurrence (Lee et al 2013). Many studies have also shown probiotics can reduce the duration of diarrhoea, particularly in children (Allen et al 2010;Applegate et al 2013;Bernaola Aponte et al 2013;Ahmadi et al 2015). Prevention of diarrhoea, rather than cure, might be a better strategy, as shown in a trial involving 3758 children living in an urban slum in India (Sur et al 2011).…”

Probiotics in luminal gastroenterology: the current state of play

“…7 Studies have shown an overall reduction in duration of diarrhoeal illnesses while patients are on probiotics, and no serious adverse events have been reported. An analysis of placebo-controlled studies of infants and children with acute diarrhoea has shown that probiotic use was associated with significant reduction of diarrhoea duration by about 20 h. 8 Lactobacillus GG (LGG) is the most widely investigated strain and has been suggested to be particularly effective in rotaviral diarrhoea. 9 Despite studies showing good results in reducing the duration of acute diarrhoea, there are limited data to justify whether the routine use of probiotics is beneficial, given that most episodes of acute diarrhoea are self-limiting.…”