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Lactobacillus GG and acute diarrhoea in young children in the tropics
A R Pant1, S M Graham, S J Allen
1Tropical Child Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.
Insights
Lactobacillus GG supplementation may speed up recovery for young children experiencing acute watery diarrhea. This probiotic intervention showed a shorter duration of illness and reduced stool frequency in a tropical setting.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Microbiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Acute diarrhea is a common childhood illness, particularly in tropical regions.
- Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus GG, are explored for their potential to modulate gut microbiota and improve outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in accelerating recovery from acute diarrhea in children.
- To assess the impact of Lactobacillus GG on the duration and frequency of diarrheal episodes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted in Thailand.
- Thirty-nine children (mean age 8 months) received either oral Lactobacillus GG or placebo twice daily for 2 days post-rehydration.
- Clinical response, duration of diarrhea, and stool frequency were monitored.
Main Results:
- No significant overall difference in clinical response was observed between the Lactobacillus GG and placebo groups.
- In children with acute non-bloody diarrhea (n=26), the mean duration of diarrhea was significantly shorter in the Lactobacillus GG group (1.9 days) compared to the placebo group (3.3 days).
- Stool frequency on the second day of treatment was significantly lower in the Lactobacillus GG group.
Conclusions:
- Lactobacillus GG may accelerate recovery specifically from acute watery diarrhea in young children.
- The findings suggest a potential role for Lactobacillus GG as an adjunct therapy for pediatric acute watery diarrhea in tropical environments.
Abstract:
A prospective, placebo controlled, triple blind clinical trial was undertaken in Thailand to determine the effect of Lactobacillus GG on recovery from acute diarrhoea in children. Thirty-nine children (mean age = 8 months) were enrolled and following rehydration received either oral Lactobacillus GG (n = 20) as a freeze-dried preparation or placebo (n = 19) twice daily for 2 days. The clinical characteristics of the study groups were similar. There was no significant difference overall in clinical response detected between the study groups. When only those with acute non-bloody diarrhoea (n = 26) were considered, the mean duration of diarrhoea was significantly shorter in the lactobacillus group (1.9 days) than in the placebo group (3.3 days) (P < 0.055). Stool frequency was less on the second day in the lactobacillus group (P < 0.05). The results suggest that Lactobacillus GG accelerates recovery from acute watery diarrhoea in young children in a tropical setting.