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The probiotic effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in a pediatric age group

Omer Erdeve1, Ulku Tiras, Yildiz Dallar

  • 1Ankara Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. omererdeve@yahoo.com

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|September 11, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Saccharomyces boulardii significantly reduced antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children when co-administered with sulbactam-ampicillin or azithromycin. This probiotic intervention offers a promising strategy for managing pediatric diarrhea during antibiotic treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common side effect of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
  • Probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are explored for their potential to prevent or treat AAD.
  • Limited research exists on the efficacy of S. boulardii with specific antibiotics like sulbactam-ampicillin and azithromycin in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
  • To compare the incidence of diarrhea in pediatric patients receiving antibiotics with or without S. boulardii.
  • To assess the impact of S. boulardii on diarrhea rates associated with sulbactam-ampicillin and azithromycin.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 466 pediatric patients.
  • Four treatment groups: antibiotics alone (sulbactam-ampicillin or azithromycin) and antibiotics combined with S. boulardii.
  • Diarrhea incidence was monitored and compared across groups.

Main Results:

  • The overall incidence of AAD was significantly lower in patients receiving antibiotics with S. boulardii (5.7%) compared to those receiving antibiotics alone (18.9%) (p < 0.05).
  • In the sulbactam-ampicillin group, S. boulardii reduced the diarrhea rate from 32.3% to 11.4% in children aged 1-5 years (p < 0.05).
  • The combination therapy demonstrated a statistically significant protective effect against antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Conclusions:

  • Saccharomyces boulardii is effective in reducing the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in pediatric patients.
  • Co-administration of S. boulardii with sulbactam-ampicillin and azithromycin is a beneficial strategy for preventing diarrhea.
  • This study provides evidence for the use of S. boulardii as an adjunct therapy in pediatric antibiotic treatment.

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