Evaluation of influence of oral treatment with probiotic and/or oral rehydration solution on course of acute diarrhoea in children

Introduction: Administration of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) is recommended in the treatment of acute diarrhoea. Supplementation with probiotics can positively influence the course of diarrhoea.
Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of oral treatment with probiotic and/or oral rehydration solution in acute infectious diarrhoea.
Material and methods: One hundred and fifty children with acute infectious diarrhoea were included in this study (2-36 months old). After the initial rapid phase of intravenous rehydration children were randomized into 3 groups; each group had 50 patients. Children were given a solution of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) (group P) or oral rehydration solution (group ORS) or LGG in oral rehydration solution (group P + ORS), in a dose of 50 ml/kg b.w. Time of treatment, number of stools, and number of events of intravenously restored electrolyte and acid/base imbalances were measured.
Results: Treatment duration of the patients from group P + ORS was statistically significantly shorter than those from group ORS (3.71 vs. 5.0, p = 0.006). The number of stools given by patients during all the treatment was statistically significantly higher in group ORS than P (15 vs. 10.5, p = 0.025), and P + ORS (15 vs. 9.5, p = 0.01). The average number of stools given by patients during one day of treatment was statistically significantly lower in group P + ORS than ORS (2.58 vs. 3.67, p = 0.045). Acid/base imbalance was statistically significantly more often restored intravenously in patients from group ORS than P (17 vs. 8, p = 0.038). Patients from group P in relation to patients from group ORS statistically significantly more often demanded restoration of electrolytes (19 vs. 10, p = 0.047).
Conclusions:
1. Treatment with ORS in association with LGG in relation to treatment with ORS only reduces duration of diarrhoea and the number of stools.
2. Acid/base imbalances were less common in the group receiving LGG and LGG with ORS. However, electrolyte imbalances were less common in children receiving ORS and ORS with LGG.