Role of saccharomyces boularii in acute watery diarrhea in children between 2 months- 5 years

Background: Acute diarrhea kills more than 1.5 million children under 5 years of age every year globally, and is the second most common cause of death in this age group. The present study was conducted to assess the role of saccharomyces boularii in acute watery diarrhea in children between 2 months5 years. Materials & Methods: 70 children of acute watery diarrhea between 2 months5 years were divided into 2 groups. Group I received the active product (S. boulardii) 250 mg twice a day for 5 days and oral rehydration solution (ORS)and zinc and group II received ORS and zinc only. The duration of diarrhea and consistency and frequency of stools were recorded. Results: Group I had 20 males and 15 females and group II had 18 males and 17 females. In group I, stool frequency >3 was seen in 35 on day 1, 30 on day 2, 25 on day 3, 10 on day 4 and in 35, 32, 28, 24 and 6 in group II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The stool consistency liquid was seen in 35 on day 1, 32 on day 2, 4 on day 4and 35 on day 1, 33 on day 2, 20 on day 3, 12 on day 4, 8 on day 5 and 1 on day 6 in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Saccharomyces boulardii shortens the duration of diarrhea and normalizes stool consistency and frequency.