Role of Probiotics in Acute Diarrhea in Children

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect of Bifidobacterium BB12 on mean change in stool frequency and hospital stay in the management of acute diarrhea. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Place and duration of study: Study was conducted at department of pediatrics. DHQ hospital, Faisalabad from 1^st July 2013 to 31^st December 2013. Patients and methods: Ninety eight patients after fulfilling inclusion criteria were registered and sorted out into group A (study)  and Group B (Control) randomly (By lottery method). Group A patients were given Bifidobacterium BB12 (6 Billion units BD for five days) diluted in ORS while group B patients were given ORS only. The cases were assessed daily for decrease in frequency of stool and total duration of illness at discharge. Results: Mean age at the time of admission was 17.6±7 months for study group and 14.6±7.4 months for controls. Duration of hospital admission was 1.88±0.21 days in the probiotic group compared with 3.38±0.13 days in the control group (P = 0.02). Mean reduction in the frequency of stool per day was 5.08±0.34 times for study group and 2.3±0.35 times for the control group (P = 0.05). Conclusion: We conclude that effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum is statistically significant in reducing the mean change in stool frequency and hospital stay in management of acute diarrhea in children.