Lactobacillus GG and acute diarrhoea in young children in the tropics
Pant, A.R.; Graham, S.M.; Allen, S.J.; Harikul, S.; Sabchareon, A.; Cuevas, L.; Hart, C.A.
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics 42(3): 162-165
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0142-6338 PMID: 8699584 DOI: 10.1093/tropej/42.3.162Document Number: 313841
A prospective, placebo controlled, triple blind clinical trial was undertaken in Thailand to determine the effect of Lactobacillus GG on recovery from acute diarrhoea in children. Thirty-nine children (mean age = 8 months) were enrolled and following rehydration received either oral Lactobacillus GG (n = 20) as a freeze-dried preparation or placebo (n = 19) twice daily for 2 days. The clinical characteristics of the study groups were similar. There was no significant difference overall in clinical response detected between the study groups. When only those with acute non-bloody diarrhoea (n = 26) were considered, the mean duration of diarrhoea was significantly shorter in the lactobacillus group (1.9 days) than in the placebo group (3.3 days) (P < 0.055). Stool frequency was less on the second day in the lactobacillus group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that Lactobacillus GG accelerates recovery from acute watery diarrhoea in young children in a tropical setting.