Efficacy of saccharomyces boulardii in the management of acute watery diarrhea

Abstract

Objective: To determine the Efficacy of probiotic (saccharomyces boulardii) in children (2 months to 5 years) with acute watery diarrhea. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in the department of pediatrics, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, from Jan 2017 to Jun 2018. Methodology: All children (2 months to 5 years) with acute watery diarrhea presenting within 24 hour of illness with no dehydration and some dehydration were enrolled and divided into two groups, study group and control group. Efficacy was assessed by reduced frequency of stools(less than 3 per day) and duration during the study period. Results: Mean age of the children in probiotic saccharomyces boulardii group was 3.42 ± 1.36 years, while mean age in control group was 3.91 ± 1.16 years (p-value 0.002). Significant difference was also observed in duration of stool and frequency of stool at day 1-5 (p-value <0.05). Statistically significant difference was observed among children in probiotic sacchramyces boulardii group 114 (53%) as compared to controls 101 (47%) (p-value 0.021). Conclusion: The Efficacy of probiotic (saccrharomyces boulardii) was found satisfactory in children (2 months to 5 years) with acute watery diarrhea. In children with acute watery diarrhea saccrharomyces boulardii may be recommended for better outcome.