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Lactobacillus reuteri in children with functional abdominal pain (FAP)

Claudio Romano1, Valeria Ferrau', Francesca Cavataio

  • 1Pediatric Department, University of Messina, Messina, Children's Hospital G. Di Cristina, Palermo, Pediatric Department, University of Catania, Catania and Pediatric Unit, Vittoria Hospital, Vittoria, Italy.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|July 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Daily Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) supplementation significantly reduced functional abdominal pain (FAP) intensity in children. This probiotic may be a valuable option for managing FAP in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Microbiome Research
  • Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Background:

  • Functional abdominal pain (FAP) affects 10-20% of children, often classified under functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID).
  • Current management strategies for FAP in children can be limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of daily supplementation with the probiotic *Lactobacillus reuteri* DSM 17938 in children diagnosed with FAP.
  • To assess the impact of *L. reuteri* on pain frequency and intensity in pediatric FAP patients.

Main Methods:

  • A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted involving 60 children (aged 6-16 years) meeting Rome III criteria for FAP.
  • Participants received either *L. reuteri* (2×10^8 CFU/day) or a placebo for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week non-supplementation follow-up period.
  • Pain frequency and intensity were self-recorded by the children throughout the study.

Main Results:

  • Children supplemented with *L. reuteri* experienced a statistically significant reduction in abdominal pain intensity compared to the placebo group.
  • No significant difference in pain frequency was noted between the groups, but intensity reduction was clinically relevant.

Conclusions:

  • Daily supplementation with *Lactobacillus reuteri* DSM 17938 effectively reduces the intensity of functional abdominal pain in children.
  • These findings suggest that *L. reuteri* can be a beneficial therapeutic option for clinicians treating pediatric FAP.
Abstract

Keywords:
functional abdominal painfunctional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID)probiotics

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