Effects of Probiotics and/or Prebiotics on the Duration of Diarrhea and Hospitalization in Children

* Acute diarrhea continues to be a major cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in developed and developing countries. * Prevention and treatment of dehydration are the mainstays of therapy. Rehydration can be achieved with oral rehydratation solution (ORS). * Even though ORS has reduced the mortality and morbidity very significantly, it has no effect on the duration of diarrhea, stool consistency and frequency and remains underused. * ESPGHAN and ESPID published together an evidence based guideline and stated that in the management of acute gastroenteritis rehydration is the key treatment and that selected probiotics may reduce the duration and intensity of symptoms and can be used as an adjuvant to ORS. * Current evidence also indicates that probiotic effects are strain-specific. Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii are the best studied strains. However, more research is needed to guide the use of particular probiotic regimens and strains and as there is still no evidence of efficacy for many preparations.