L. reuteri in acute diarrhea in young children

A prospective, randomised and placebo-controlled study of 40 children, aged 6–36 months, who were hospitalised due to acute diarrhoea (caused by rotavirus in 75%).

The children receiving active treatment were given L. reuteri ATCC 55730 in a daily dose of 10¹⁰–10¹¹ CFU for up to 5 days (n=19). The L. reuteri group and the placebo group (n=21) both received standard rehydration therapy. A significant effect was apparent from the second day of treatment, when 74% of the children in the active group were free from watery diarrhoea, as opposed to 19% of the children in the control group.

Reference 

Lactobacillus reuteri as a therapeutic agent in acute diarrhea in young children. Shornikova AV, Casas IA, Isolauri E, Mykkänen N, Vesikari T. (1997) J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 24:399-404.