Probiotics in Children with Acute Diarrhea

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute dirrhea is common in children and cause morbidity and mortality in young children. Probiotics with their viable microorganisms can be effective. This research was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of L.Acidophilus in children with acute diarrhea. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A double blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was done for 100 children at the age of 1-5 year that admitted in Children Hospital with acute non-bloody diarrhea. They randomized into 2 forty-patient groups; first group received L.Acidophilus yogurt (300 g/day, semi-fluid), second group received placebo material and they closely were monitored. RESULTS: 80 patients out of 100 with acute non-bloody diarrhea completed the study. Degree of moderate dehydration before admission, in probiotic group (90%) was more than control (70%). Dehydration was significantly more frequent in the control group (chi(2) = 14.11, df = 1, p<0.0005) and none of the patients in the L.Acidophilus yogurt group after 3 days had dehydration (30% patient in control had mild dehydration). The mean number of stools after third days of treatment were found to be significantly lower in the L.Acidophilus group than the placebo group (t=3.14, df=78, p=0.002). The duration of hospital stay was shorter in the L.Acidophilus group than the placebo group (3.6 vs. 4 d; p = 0.037). In the Comparison with the L.Acidophilus yogurt group, Dehydration frequency on day 3 was significantly higher in the control group (chi(2) = 14.1 1, df = 1, p<0.0005). CONCLUSION: The L.Acidophilus was well tolerated, and no adverse events associated with this were reported. The effect of L.Acidophilus seems to be comparable to other well described probiotics results from this study indicate the benefits of using probiotic on acute non-bloody diarrhea compared with the control group for reducing the risk of complications due to diarrhea in children. We have shown that Lactobacillus Acidophilus has significantly reduced the frequency of acute diarrhea and the duration of hospital stay as well. Our findings support the use of L.Acidophilus adjunctive.