Single-Strain Probiotics For The Management Of Acute Diarrhea In Children: A Randomized Comparative Study

Abstract

Goals To assess the efficacy of probiotics in managing acute gastroenteritis in children, including reducing the need for inpatient care and antibiotics, repeat visits to emergency or private clinics, and incidence of adverse events. Background Acute gastroenteritis is characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and occasionally, abdominal pain and fever. Treatments include oral rehydration solutions to prevent dehydration and nutritional damage and zinc supplementation to reduce the severity of diarrhea and reoccurrence. Probiotics are effective in reducing the intensity and duration of acute gastroenteritis; however, their efficacy in the Indian population needs further investigation. Study In this single-center open-label randomized study, the efficacy of 3 single-strain probiotics, Bacillus clausii, Saccharomyces boulardii, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, as adjuvant therapy along with oral rehydration solution and zinc supplements in the management of acute gastroenteritis, were compared in 150 children aged 6 months to 16 years. Results B. clausii was the most effective single-strain probiotic in our study for the management of acute diarrhea in children across various parameters, including time to first formed stool, reduction in the duration of diarrhea, reduced hospital admissions, and earlier recovery. Conclusions All 3 probiotics demonstrated no adverse effects. Readmission and revisit rates after treatment with these probiotics were extremely low. B. clausii is strongly recommended as adjuvant therapy in children with acute gastroenteritis.