Lactobacillus GG and acute diarrhoea in young children in the tropics.
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.
Pant
A R
AR
Tropical Child Health Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.
Graham
S M
SM
Allen
S J
SJ
Harikul
S
S
Sabchareon
A
A
Cuevas
L
L
Hart
C A
CA
D000208:Acute Disease; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000898:Antibiosis; D003906:Developing Countries; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007778:Lactobacillus; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014329:Tropical Climate
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents