Study on efficacy of probiotic use in pediatric acute diarrhea: A prospective open-labeled study

Abstract

Background: More than three stools per day during a period of fewer than 14 days, along with loose stools, is considered acute diarrhea. Viral infections are the most frequent cause of pediatric diarrhea, and the most common form of treatment is the replacement of lost fluid and electrolyte balance. Probiotic supplementation in conventional therapy is likely to result in improved outcomes. Aim and Objective: To study the efficacy of Saccharomyces boulardii (a probiotic) as add-on treatment for pediatric acute diarrhea. Materials and Methods: This was an open-label prospective study. We have included a total of 40 children (n = 40) who met the inclusion criteria for admission and were randomly divided into two groups. One group (group 1: n = 20) received standard treatment, while group 2: n = 20 received probiotics in addition to standard treatment. Before administering the probiotic powder to the children, the parents were advised to add it to some water or milk. The duration of the diarrhea and the consistency of the stools were used as outcome indicators. Results: The duration of diarrhea in the probiotic-treated group was 3.8 days and 5.1 days in the standard therapy group. The first semi-liquid stools typically appear after 3.3–1.6 days in the standard therapy group and 2.0–0.56 days in the probiotic treatment group. The outcomes were statistically significant. Conclusion: S. boulardii, a probiotic, is beneficial in shortening the length of diarrhea and the time it takes for the first semi-liquid stools to develop by 1 day.