Effectiveness of Probiotics in the Treatment of Acute Gastroenteritis Caused by Rotavirus in Children Under 5

Introduction: Acute Gastroenteritis(AGE) is a second common cause of death in children under 5.Probiotics are being used in the treatment of AGE, addition to the rehydration. Saccharomyces boulardii( S.bulardii)and (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG )LGG have a moderate level of evidence and strong recommendation, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM-17938(L.reuteri) has a low level of evidence and weak recommendation.

Objective: Compare the effectiveness of probiotics with a strong recommendation and moderate level of evidence (L.rhamnosus GG and S.boulardii) and probiotics with a low recommendation and low level of evidence (L reuteriDSM-17938) as adjuvant therapy for AGE caused by rotavirus in children under 5.

Methods: 122 children under 5 with symptoms of AGE were examined.

Determination of the antigen of the rotavirus was performed by ELISA. The children were divided into groups depending on which probiotic were used. The first group received a LGG or S.boulardii. The second group was treated with L. reuteri. The number of episodes of stools/day, the length of stay in a hospital and the total duration of diarrhea syndrome were estimated.

Results: The first group was 59 children, in the second group-63 children. In the1^st group the number of episodes stool/day(Me[QI 25;75]) was 5[4;8], the length of stay in a hospital(Me[QI 25;75])-3[2;4] and the total duration of diarrhea syndrome(Me[QI 25;75])-7[6;8].

In the2^st group the number of episodes stool/day(Me[QI 25;75]) was 8[5;12], the length of stay in a hospital(Me[QI 25;75])-4[2;4] and the total duration of diarrhea syndrome(Me[QI 25;75])-7[5;10].

We compared two groups of children. A significant difference was in the number of diarrhea stool episodes(p=0.02). There were no statistically significant difference in the others criteria(p=0.43)and(p=0.78)respectively.

Conclusions:

1. LGG and S.bullardi has better affect the reduction of stool frequency then L.reuteri, and thus ease the symptoms of the disease.

2. LGG,S.bullardi and L.reuteri have the same effect on the duration of the disease and hospitalization.