2014-06-06 09:15:56
A recent clinical trial was conducted to examine the effect of prophylactic probiotics on a number of gastrointestinal concerns in children.(1)
Colic, gastroesophageal reflux (or heartburn), and constipation are the most common disorders that lead to referrals to pediatricians in kids who are 6 months of age or younger. These health conditions are often responsible for hospitalizations, feeding changes, use of drugs, anxiety for parents, and other social consequences. This study used the probiotic supplement (specifically, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938). They used the probiotic supplement for the first 3 months of life to see if it would help with preventing the gastrointestinal conditions.
The study was conducted in Italy. They used a placebo-controlled design and performed the research out of 9 different neonatal units. Parents were asked to record a number of different parameters in a diary, including: the number of episodes of regurgitation, duration of inconsolable crying, number of evacuations per day, number of visits to pediatricians, feeding changes, hospitalizations, visits to an emergency department, pharmacologic interventions, and loss of parental working days. The results of the study showed that at 3 months, the probiotic caused a decrease in duration of crying time and in the number of regurgitations per day, and also increased number of evacuations per day. The use of the probiotic also caused financial savings for the patient and the community.
References
(1) Indrio F, Di Mauro A, Riezzo G, Civardi E, Intini C, Corvaglia L, Ballardini E, Bisceglia M, Cinguetti M, Brazzoduro E, Del Vecchio A, Tafuri S, Francavilla R. Prophylactic use of a probiotic in the prevention of colic, regurgitation, and functional constipation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2014:168(3):228-33.