Role of single and mixed probiotics in acute diarrheal diseases in pediatric population

Background: The objective of present study was to analyse the effect of probiotics on various parameters of acute diarrhoeal disease and to compare single and mixed probiotic preparations in context to their role in acute diarrhoeal disease in paediatric population.Methods: A double blind controlled trial was conducted in children suffering from acute diarrhoeal disease at department of paediatrics jointly with department of pharmacology, G. S. V. M. Medical college, Kanpur, U.P., India. All enrolled children were divided into three groups having similar baseline characteristics. One group was given single probiotic preparation another mixed probiotic preparation and the third one (i.e. control group) placebo plus Zinc/ORS to all three groups. Various parameters such as frequency and consistency of stool, duration of diarrhoea were measured after doing intervention over a period of one week.Results: In our study duration of diarrhoea, stool frequency and total duration of hospital stay was found significantly less in probiotic groups compared to control group. However no significant difference was found between single and mixed probiotics in curtailing the acute diarrhoeal illness.Conclusions: Probiotics should be used judiciously in acute diarrhoeal diseases. There is no additional benefit of mixed probiotics in acute diarrhoeal diseases rather than increasing the cost of treatment