Treatment outcome of Diarrhea with or without Probiotics among Children aged 12-60 months

Background: High mortality rate around the globe has been reported due to diarrheal disease among all fewer than five years of age. Many studies show their utilization in the treatment of diarrheal disease especially among children of under-five. Objective: To assess the treatment outcome of diarrhea with and without probiotics among children aged 12-60 months. Methodology: This comparative cross-sectional study was undertaken from July to December 2017. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect the information in terms of antibiotics, rehydrating agents, antipyretic agents, and probiotics. A total of 109 patients were selected randomly and then divided into two groups as "probiotic" having 55 children and "Non-Probiotic", having 54 children. Guardians of patients were contacted telephonically after 48 hours and 72 hours to ask about the time frame of relief from symptoms, diarrheal episodes, and cure from disease. Data were analyzed by using SPSS 20. Results: Out of 109 patients, 54 patients were in the non-probiotic group and 55 in the probiotic group. The overall age of patients remained 31±12 months. Saccharomyces boulardii (56.4%) and Lactobacillus GG (43.6%) were probiotics prescribed by pediatric physicians. A significant difference (p=0.000) was observed in terms of treatment outcome showing early relief (12 hrs) 43 (78%) vs 22 (41%) in probiotic vs non-probiotic group and early cure (<48 hrs) from diarrhea in probiotic group 48 (87%) vs 35 (65%) as compared to the non-probiotic group. (p=0.00) Conclusion: The use of probiotics during the treatment of acute diarrhea among children below five years shortens the duration of symptoms and helps the cure as early as one day before the patients' not using probiotics.