Role of Probiotics Saccharomyces Boulardii in The Management of Acute Watery Diarrheas in Children

Abstract

Objective: To determine role of probiotics saccharomyces Boulardii in management of acute watery diarrhea in children

Methods: The study was conducted on 64 children in Bahawal Victoria Hospital’s pediatrics wards in Bahawalpur. This was placebo controlled randomized control trial. Ethical issue was solved by taking permission from the institutional committee. Informed consent from parents or guardians were taken of every child. All children with age from two months to twelve years, who presented with acute watery diarrhea, were recruited by non-probability consecutive sampling and were divided into two groups by lottery method. Group A was treated by recommended WHO protocol plus saccharomyces Boulardii (250mg twice a day orally for three days). Group B was treated with recommended WHO protocol plus placebo. Whole data of study was processed by SPSS volume 23. All the numerical variables in study were statistically calculated and analyzed in their mean values and standard deviation and t test was used to determine the significance. similarly, all qualitative variables in study were analyzed by percentage and frequency and significance were checked by applying chi square test. A significance is considered when p value was <0.05.

Results: . The mean age and weight of the patients of group A was 22.25±10.09 months and 8.65±2.84 kg respectively. There were 68.8% (n=22) boys and 31.2% (n=10) girls. While, the mean age and weight of the patients of group B was 25.81±6.75 months and 9.46±2.62 kg respectively. There were 56.2% (n=18) boys and 43.8% (n=14) girls. Bacteria isolated noted as 68.8% (n=22) and 18.8% (n=6) for the group A and B respectively. Mean number of stools reported on d 0, mean number of stools reported on d 3 and duration of diarrhea (d) of the patients of group A was 10.25±1.03, 2.72±1.82 and 3.16±1.80 days respectively. While, the Mean number of stools reported on d 0, mean number of stools reported on d 3 and duration of diarrhea (d) of the patients of group B was 9.33±1.25, 4.66±1.55 and 4.95±1.11 days respectively. The differences were statistically significant among the groups at (p=0.000).

Conclusion: Study concluded that use of probiotics saccharomyces Boulardii is significantly associated with reduction of duration and frequency of diarrhea. It should be used with oral rehydration in treating acute watery diarrhea. It can result in early recovery.

Key words: saccharomyces Boulardii, diarrhea, children, probiotics