Efficacy of probiotics against acute diarrhoea in warm areas

Introduction: Acute diarrhoea is a public health problem and probiotics as adjuvant treatment have shown effectiveness in the prevention and treatment with Lactobacillus casei or Sacharomyces boulardii, since they have been shown to decrease the duration and frequency of acute diarrhoea. Objective: To describe the effectiveness of the use of probiotics in children under 10 years of age that suffer from heat diarrhoea on the basis that their intake can modify the composition of the microbiota and act against enteric pathogens. Methods: Randomized double blind study in a paediatric consultation in the Canary Islands with 40 children, between 5 and 10 years old, who has suffered acute diarrhoea. The experimental group was treated with Lactobacillus for 7 days and the control group with a placebo at the same time. Data collection period July‐September 2017. Informed consent was obtained from parents or guardians. Results: Average of age 7.35 years (n = 40). By age group, 8 years old children were the most frequently recruited age slot in the whole cohort of acute diarrhoea (37.5%). In the group that took Lactobacillus, a reduction in episodes of diarrhoea was found in 18% more than in the placebo group. When compared with placebo, it was shown that there was a reduction in the duration of diarrhoea by intake of probiotics 72 hours as compared to 120 hours in placebo group. Conclusions: In the group that took Lactobacillus, a reduction in episodes of diarrhoea was found in 18% more than in the placebo group the intake of probiotics.