title: Efficacy of probiotic use in acute rotavirus diarrhea in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Probiotic therapies with different strains demonstrated some beneficial effects, although some studies did not show any significant effects. This study assessed systematically the current knowledge on the effect of probiotic bacteria on duration of acute rotavirus diarrhea in children compared with control.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trial Register (CCTR) and Ovid (Wolters Kluwer Health) were searched between 1980 to June 15, 2013. Randomized controlled trials including the administration of probiotics for treatment of rotavirus diarrhea in infants and children were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total number of 1244 articles were found through the aforementioned search. 203 articles were selected after the first screening of title and abstract. The intervention group included subjects who received probiotic strains and dosage in any conditions. Placebo or any similar vehicle without probiotic was used in the controlled trials. Finally, 14 articles were selected. The outcomes from each study were considered in the duration of diarrhea. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata software. The pooled estimate of efficacy of probiotics in prevention or treatment of disease yielded in all studies a mean difference of 0.41 (CI 95%: -0.56 to -0.25; p<0.001). The pooled estimate of efficacy of lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and other probiotics significantly reduced the duration of diarrhea. Among trials, the overall reduction of LGG was 0.47 (CI 95%: -0.80 to -0.14; P= 0.020).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, probiotics exert positive effect in reducing the duration of acute rotavirus diarrhea compared with control.
authors.affiliation: Young Researchers and Elite Club, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ahmadi
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alizadeh-Navaei
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Infectious Diseases Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Sadegh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Rezai
keywords: Acute Diarrhea; Children; Probiotics; Rotavirus