Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in yogurt, sauerkraut and other fermented foods. Probiotics populate the intestines with these healthy bacteria. Dr. Stefano Guandalini of the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department at the University of Chicago reviewed five studies involving the use of probiotics to combat different kinds of diarrhea in children in various settings. Dr. Guandalini reported on his findings in the July 2008 issue of the "Journal of Clinical Endocrinology."
Treating Diarrhea
Dr. Guandalini found that administering probiotics to children already suffering from diarrhea had only a slight effect, and then only on some types of diarrhea. In children with diarrhea caused by rotavirus, a common cause of pediatric diarrhea, administering Lactobacillus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii or L. reuteri shortened the duration of the diarrhea by less than one day, compared to children who did not receive the probiotics. And even this effect was noted only when the children were given more than 10 billion live cultures a day.
Preventing the Spread of Diarrhea
Dr. Guandalini found that few of the studies had looked at the ability of probiotics to prevent the spread of diarrhea where the illness can move easily from one child to another, such as in hospitals or daycare centers. The existing studies did not provide conclusive evidence that probiotics had any effect.
Diarrhea from Antibiotics
Dr. Guandalini found a number of studies that looked at the ability of probiotics to prevent the onset of diarrhea in children who were prescribed antibiotics. Diarrhea can be a side effect of taking antibiotics, since antibiotics, in killing off harmful bacteria, can also kill beneficial bacteria. Probiotics repopulate the intestines with beneficial bacteria. These studies shows that probiotics, in particular Lactobacillus GG and S. boulardii, were effective in preventing diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
Considerations
Dr. Guandalini's review showed that only particular strains of probiotics were effective against diarrhea, and those in relatively high doses. Many products on the market, particularly yogurt, claim to contain probiotics, and a fruit-flavored yogurt might be one of the easiest ways to administer probiotics to children. But different brands of yogurt contain different strains of probiotics, and they may not be the ones that are most effective. Also, you have no way of knowing how much of any probiotic a yogurt contains. For instance, Activia yogurt advertises that it contains "billions of probiotics" in each 4 oz. serving. You can also purchase probiotics as supplements, but in 2006 the American Society for Microbiology issued a report noting that the quality of probiotics available in food "is unreliable." Giving your child yogurt won't harm her, but it may also do nothing to stop diarrhea, although it might help prevent diarrhea from antibiotics. Ask your doctor about giving your child probiotics.
