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Abstract
Background: To determine the efficacy of probiotic (Saccharomyces boulardii) in children having acute diarrhea.
Methods: In this study total 90 patients (aged 1 to 5 years) having acute watery diarrhoea were enrolled in a period of six months . Complete history and physical examination was performed. Patients were divided in two groups. Group A received oral/parentral rehydration therapy, electrolyte replacement (where needed). Group B received Saccharomyces boulardii 250 mg bid in addition to this treatment.
Results: All patients (100%) had dehydration. By day 3 frequency of stool per day was 2.02 and 4.18 respectively and by day 5 it was normal (S.boulardii group) and 1.80(control group). The duration of stay was 3.09 days in probiotic group and 5.07 days in control group. Vomiting settled in all patients on day 3 in study group while one patient(2.2%) the control group still had vomiting. Fever settled in all patients on day 3 in both groups. The drug was tolerated by all patients and no side effect was observed.
Conclusion: S. bulardii significantly reduces the frequency and duration of acute watery diarrhoea. The consistency of stool also improves and drug is well tolerated.