Efficacy of probiotic use in acute rotavirus diarrhea in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Elaheh Ahmadi1, Reza Alizadeh-Navaei2, Mohammad Sadegh Rezai3

  • 1Young Researchers and Elite Club, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine
|December 9, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Probiotic bacteria effectively reduce the duration of acute rotavirus diarrhea in children. This meta-analysis confirms the beneficial impact of probiotics, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, in managing childhood rotavirus infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Probiotic therapies show varied effects on pediatric illnesses.
  • Existing research on probiotics for rotavirus diarrhea lacks systematic consolidation.
  • This study addresses the need for a comprehensive review of probiotic efficacy in acute rotavirus diarrhea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically evaluate the effect of probiotic bacteria on the duration of acute rotavirus diarrhea in children.
  • To compare the efficacy of probiotics against placebo or no treatment in pediatric rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, and Ovid was conducted from 1980 to June 2013.
  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving probiotic administration for rotavirus diarrhea in infants and children were included.
  • Data from 14 selected RCTs were analyzed using Stata software to determine the pooled effect on diarrhea duration.

Main Results:

  • The pooled analysis of 14 RCTs indicated a significant reduction in diarrhea duration (mean difference of -0.41 days; p<0.001).
  • Specific probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), demonstrated significant efficacy in shortening diarrhea duration (LGG mean reduction of 0.47 days; P=0.020).

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics are effective in reducing the duration of acute rotavirus diarrhea in children.
  • The findings support the use of probiotics as an adjunct therapy for managing rotavirus gastroenteritis in pediatric populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
Acute DiarrheaChildrenProbioticsRotavirus

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