The comparision of the efficiency of two different probiotics in rotavirus gastroenteritis in children

PURPOSEThe aim of the study is to compare the clinical efficiency of most frequently usedprobiotics Saccharomyces boulardii and Bifidobacterium lactis in children between 6 monthsand 5 years of age with a diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe children, between 6 months-5 years of age, were admitted to pediatric emergency unit with a diagnosis of rotavirus gastroenteritis, were included in the study. The study was conducted between 01.09.2009- 01.05.2010. The patients' demographics, medical history, the symptoms associated with gastroenteritis (frequency of diarrhea, stool characteristics consistency and vomitting), nutritional status, degree of dehydration, oral tolerance were recorded.Patients were divided into 3 groups: Group I, age-appropriate diarrhea diet and Saccharomyces boulardii were given (n:25); Group II, age-appropriate diarrhea diet and Bifidobacterium lactis were given (n:25); and Group III, age-appropriate diarrhea diet were given (n:25).RESULTSeventy five patients, who had rotavirus gastroenteritis were included in the study. The median age of patients was 20.9 ± 2.9 months. The gender distributation was males 49.3% (n:37). The rotavirus gastroenteritis were frequently seen in winter months.(62.7 %, n: 47).Ninety three percent (n:70) of the patients were not vaccinated with rotavirus vaccineThe duration of diarrhea was shorter in the group I (p<0.05). Hospitalization rates and vomitting were higher in the group II (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONIn this study the authors compared frequently used probiotics, Saccharomyces boulardii and Bifidobacterium lactis, which are widely used in rotavirus gastroenteritis. The authors found that the durations of diarrhea were shorter in the group treated with Bifidobacterium lactis, and the hospitalization rates and vomiting were higher in the group treated with Saccharomyces boulardii.As a conclusion, although some type of probiotics frequently used in the treatment of rotavirus gastroenteritis may have a complemental role and some type of probiotics may not have a beneficial effect. Further studies shoud be done to detect which probiotics may be used as a complemantary treatment in rotavirus gastroenteritis.