Probiotics improve regurgitation and gastric emptying in infancy

This double-blind, randomised study aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (1 x 108 CFU per day) or placebo for 30 days, on regurgitation and gastric emptying in 42 formula-fed infants. They were on average 40 days old at entry, and presenting with at least 4 regurgitation episodes per day in the week prior to the study. The formula-fed newborns receiving L. reuteri had a significant decrease in regurgitation (1.26 episodes/day vs. 3.93 episodes/day; p<0.005), a significant increase in the gastric emptying rate (11.8±1.5 vs. 1.5 ± 2.8; p=0.015), and the fasting antral area was significantly reduced (3.0±0.3 vs. 4.0±0.6; p=0.002) compared to those receiving placebo.

Conclusion:

The significant reduction in the number of regurgitation episodes and an improved gastric emptying pattern in infants receiving L. reuteri suggest that it has a useful role in improving gut function in formula-fed infants.

Reference

Indrio F, Riezzo G, Raimondi F, Bisceglia M, Cavallo L, Francavilla R. (2009) Probiotic improve regurgitation and gastric emptying in infancy. 50th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Research (ESPR), Hamburg, Germany, October 9-12, 2009. Acta Pædiatrica. 98(Suppl 460):161, abstract 415.