Probiotic therapy
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Lactobacillus "is safe and effective as a treatment for infectious diarrhea in children," according to meta-analysis published in April Pediatrics. Cornelius Van Niel, MD, University of Washington, et al., found a significant .7 day reduction in diarrhea duration among subjects who were given Lactobacillus compared with placebo, and a reduction in diarrhea frequency of 1.6 stools on second day of treatment with the probiotic. Researchers did not find the effect was modified by country of study or live versus killed Lactobacillus preparation. Meta-analysis included nine randomized, controlled trials from 1973 to 2000 examining children up to three years old. Van Niel et al. suggest additional research should include a large, randomized trial funded by a non-vested party, use of consistent measures of diarrhea intensity...