A randomized formula controlled trial of Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus for prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in infants.
OBJECTIVE
This clinical trial was carried out to determine whether oral treatment with a commercial probiotic formula containing Bifidobacterium lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus would reduce the frequency of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) in infants.


METHODS
In this double-bind formula controlled study, 80 infants, 6 to 36 months of age, were randomly assigned to receive a commercial formula containing 10 viable cells of B. lactis and 10 viable cells of S. thermophilus at the initiation of antibiotics for a duration of 15 days. The infants were assessed daily for formula intake, stool frequency, and stool consistency for a total duration of 30 days. Seventy-seven infants received nonsupplemented formula for the entire duration.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in the incidence of AAD in the children receiving probiotic-supplemented formula (16%) than nonsupplemented formula (31%).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study shows that prevention against AAD in infants was obtained by oral treatment with daily dose of B. lactis and S. thermophilus.
Corrêa
Naflesia B O
NB
Departamento de Pediatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Péret Filho
Luciano A
LA
Penna
Francisco J
FJ
Lima
Fátima M L S
FM
Nicoli
Jacques R
JR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048249:Streptococcus thermophilus; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents