Systematic review with meta-analysis: Probiotics for treating acute diarrhoea in children with dehydration.

Wu, Hai-Lin; Zhan, Xue

AIM This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics in treating children with acute diarrhoea and dehydration. METHODS Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS A total of 17 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2861 participants met the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, probiotics reduced the duration of diarrhoea (12 RCTs [15, 17], n = 1907, mean difference - 21.33 h, confidence interval (CI) -29.74 to -12.91, high heterogeneity, I2 = 86%), the duration of hospitalisation when compared with placebo (eight RCTs [19, 20], n = 1606, mean difference - 0.83 days, CI -1.53 to -0.12, high heterogeneity, I2 = 96%) and reduced risk of diarrhoea on day 4 or more days (six RCTs [19, 20], n = 1093, risk difference - 0.13, 95% CI -0.17- -0.09, no heterogeneity). CONCLUSIONS Probiotics alongside rehydration therapy appear to be safe and have clear beneficial effects in shortening the duration of diarrhoea in children with acute diarrhoea and dehydration.