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[A prospective randomized controlled study on probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in

Su-Wei Zhang1, Xian Zhi1, Meng-Yu Wang1

  • 1Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221000, China.

Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi = Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics
|October 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Saccharomyces boulardii and Bifidobacterium effectively prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in young children. Extended probiotic use further improves gut microbiota, reducing AAD incidence and duration.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Gastroenterology
  • Pediatric Clinical Research

Background:

  • Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common adverse effect of antibiotic treatment in infants and young children.
  • The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining gastrointestinal health, and its disruption by antibiotics can lead to AAD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii and tetragenous viable Bifidobacterium in preventing AAD in pediatric patients.
  • To assess the impact of different probiotic treatment durations on AAD incidence and gut microbiota composition.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 182 children under three years old requiring antibiotic treatment.
  • Participants were assigned to a control group, a Saccharomyces boulardii group, or a Bifidobacterium group, with varying probiotic durations (7, 14, 21 days).
  • The incidence of AAD, duration of diarrhea, hospital stay, and fecal cocci-to-bacilli ratio were compared across groups.

Main Results:

  • Both Saccharomyces boulardii and Bifidobacterium significantly reduced the incidence of AAD compared to the control group (P<0.017).
  • AAD duration and hospital stay were shorter in probiotic groups (P<0.05).
  • Probiotic interventions, especially with longer durations, positively modulated the fecal microbiota composition, indicated by a reduced cocci-to-bacilli ratio.

Conclusions:

  • Saccharomyces boulardii and tetragenous viable Bifidobacterium are effective in preventing AAD in infants and young children.
  • Extending the duration of probiotic therapy beyond short-term use can further enhance gut microbiota improvement and AAD prevention.
Abstract

Keywords:
Antibiotic-associated diarrheaGut microbiotaInfant and young childProbioticsRatio of cocci to bacilli

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