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Systematic review with meta-analysis: Probiotics for treating acute diarrhoea in children with dehydration

Hai-Lin Wu1,2, Xue Zhan1,2

  • 1Department of gastroenterology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation base of Child development and Critical Disorders; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, PR China.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|January 7, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics significantly reduce the duration of acute diarrhoea and hospitalisation in children. This meta-analysis confirms probiotics are safe and effective when used with rehydration therapy for paediatric acute gastroenteritis.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Acute diarrhoea and dehydration are common in children globally.
  • Current treatments primarily focus on rehydration, with limited options for symptom duration reduction.
  • The role of probiotics in managing paediatric gastroenteritis requires further synthesis of evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics in treating acute diarrhoea in children.
  • To assess the impact of probiotics on diarrhoea duration, hospitalisation, and symptom persistence.
  • To determine the safety profile of probiotics in this paediatric population.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
  • Searches were conducted across Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library.
  • Statistical analysis included calculating mean differences and risk differences with confidence intervals.

Main Results:

  • 17 RCTs involving 2861 children were included.
  • Probiotics significantly reduced diarrhoea duration by an average of 21.33 hours compared to placebo.
  • Probiotics also decreased hospitalisation duration by 0.83 days and reduced the risk of prolonged diarrhoea.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics, when administered with rehydration therapy, are safe and effective for children with acute diarrhoea and dehydration.
  • The findings support the use of probiotics as an adjunct therapy to shorten illness duration.
  • Further research may explore specific probiotic strains and optimal treatment protocols.
Abstract

Keywords:
childdehydrationdiarrhoeaprobiotic

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