P0028 PP INEFFECTIVENESS OF LACTOBACILLUS GG FOR THE TREATMENT OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTIPATION IN CHILDREN: A RANDOMISED DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Introduction: Studies in adults showed the effectiveness of some probiotic strains in the treatment of chronic constipation in adults [1, 2]. However, there are no data on the efficacy of pro-biotics in treating constipation in children. The aim of this study was to determine if Lactobacillus GG (LGG) as an adjunct to lactulose is effective in children with functional constipation. Methods: Sixty children aged 2 to 16 years with constipation defined as <3 spontaneous bowel movements per week were enrolled in a double-blind trial and randomly allocated to receive 70% lactulose at a dose 1 ml/kg/day and (1) LGG at a dose 109 CFU or (2) comparable placebo, twice daily orally for 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were (1) number of spontaneous bowel movements per week; (2) number of episodes of soiling per week; (3) treatment success defined as >3 spontaneous bowel movements per week with no fecal soiling. Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. Results: Outcomes at 8 and 12 weeks of therapy are shown in Table 1.Table 1Conclusion:Lactobacillus GG, as dosed in this study, as an adjunct to lactulose, was not effective in treating functional constipation in patients 2 to 16 years old.