Related Experiment Videos
[Double-blind comparison of an apple pectin-chamomile extract preparation with placebo in children with diarrhea]
S de la Motte1, S Böse-O'Reilly, M Heinisch
1Harrison Clinical Research, München.
Insights
Apple pectin and chamomile extract significantly reduced diarrhea duration in children. This natural preparation improved well-being and parental satisfaction compared to placebo.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Phytotherapy
Background:
- Acute, non-complicated diarrhea is a common pediatric illness.
- Standard treatment involves rehydration and diet, but adjunct therapies are explored.
- Natural preparations offer potential benefits for managing pediatric diarrhea.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a pectin/chamomile preparation in treating acute, non-complicated diarrhea in children.
- To compare the effectiveness of pectin/chamomile against a placebo.
- To assess the impact on diarrhea duration, symptom improvement, and parental satisfaction.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, double-blind, randomized, multicenter, parallel-group study.
- Children aged 6 months to 5.5 years with acute diarrhea received either pectin/chamomile or placebo.
- Treatment was adjunct to standard rehydration and diet; outcomes documented over three days.
Main Results:
- Diarrhea resolved significantly more often in the pectin/chamomile group (33/39) versus placebo (23/40).
- Pectin/chamomile significantly reduced diarrhea duration by at least 5.2 hours.
- A trend of continuous improvement in well-being and higher parental satisfaction (82% vs. 60%) was observed with pectin/chamomile.
Conclusions:
- Apple pectin and chamomile extract demonstrate significant efficacy in treating acute, non-complicated pediatric diarrhea.
- The preparation offers a beneficial adjunct therapy, reducing illness duration and improving patient well-being.
- Pectin/chamomile represents a promising phytotherapeutic option for pediatric gastroenterological conditions.
Abstract:
In a prospective, double-blind, randomised, multicentre, parallel group study, children (6 months to 5.5 years of age) with acute, non-complicated diarrhea received either a preparation containing apple pectin and chamomile extract (Diarrhoesan, n = 39) or placebo (n = 40) in addition to the usual rehydration and realimentation diet. At the end of three days of treatment, the diarrhea had ended significantly (p < 0.05) more frequently in the pectin/chamomile (33/39) than in the placebo group (23/40). Pectin/chamomile reduced the duration of diarrhea significantly (p < 0.05) by at least 5.2 h. The parents documented the well-being in a diary twice daily; in contrast to placebo, a trend of continuous improvement was observed in the pectin/chamomile group. The parents expressed their contentment more frequently (82%) with pectin/chamomile than with placebo (60%, not significant). There were no further differences between the treatment groups.