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Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of probiotics and prebiotics in infantile gastroenteritis. Background Gastroenteritis is a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality worldwide. Administration of probiotic microorganisms and prebiotic fibers has a role in the prevention of and remediation against a range of intestinal disorders. Patients and methods Sixty-five infants with acute gastroenteritis were randomized to receive either probiotic and prebiotic supplementation (supplementation group; n = 50) or no supplementation (nonintervention; n = 15). Results Probiotics and prebiotics reduced the duration of vomiting to 3.4 ± 0.9 days in the supplementation group, compared with 4.9 ± 0.8 days in the nonintervention group (t = 5.44, P 0≤ 0.001). Probiotics and prebiotics reduced the duration of fever to 2.9 ± 0.9 days in the supplementation group, compared with 3.9 ± 0.7 days in the nonintervention group (t = 3.93, P ≤ 0.001). The results showed that probiotics and prebiotics reduced the duration of hospital stay to 5.5 ± 1.9 days in the supplementation group, compared with7.0 ± 1.8 days in the nonintervention group (t = 2.61, P = 0.01). Probiotics and prebiotics reduced the duration of diarrhea to 4.5 ± 1.4 days in the supplementation group, compared with 6.1 ± 1.4 days in the nonintervention group (t = 3.94, P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion Probiotic and prebiotic supplementation has a role in the treatment of gastroenteritis by decreasing the duration of vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and length of hospital stay.

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