To determine the effect of a human Lactobacillus strain (Lactobacillus casei sp strain GG, Gefilac) on recovery from acute diarrhea (82% rotavirus), 71 wellnourished children between 4 and 45 months of age were studied. After oral rehydration, the patients randomly received either Lactobacillus GG-fermented milk product, 125 g (1010-11 colony-forming units) twice daily (group 1); Lactobacillus GG freeze-dried powder, one dose (1010-11 colony-forming units) twice daily (group 2); or a placebo, a pasteurized yogurt (group 3) 125 g twice daily; each diet was given for 5 days, in addition to normal full diet otherwise free of fermented dairy products. The mean (SD) duration of diarrhea after commencing the therapy was significantly shorter in group 1 (1.4 [0.8] days) and in group 2 (1.4 [0.8] days) than in group 3 (2.4 [1.1] days); F = 8.70, P < 0.001. After rehydration, each dietary group maintained a positive weight trend. The urinary lactulose-mannitol recovery ratios (means [95% confidence intervals]) on admission were 0.09 (0.03, 0.24) in group 1, 0.12 (0.07, 0.22) in group 2, and 0.08 (0.04, 0.18) in group 3; no significant alterations in intestinal permeability were observed at retesting after 2 days of realimentation. The result indicates that early nutritional repletion after rehydration causes no mucosal disruption and is beneficial for recovery from diarrhea. It is further suggested that Lactobacillus GG in the form of fermented milk or freeze-dried powder is effective in shortening the course of acute diarrhea.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
July 1991
Articles|
July 01 1991
A Human Lactobacillus Strain (Lactobacillus Casei sp strain GG) Promotes Recovery From Acute Diarrhea in Children
Pediatrics (1991) 88 (1): 90–97.
Article history
Received:
February 05 1990
Accepted:
July 19 1990
Citation
Erika Isolauri, Tarja Rautanen, Marketta Juntunen, Pekka Sillanaukee, Timo Koivula; A Human Lactobacillus Strain (Lactobacillus Casei sp strain GG) Promotes Recovery From Acute Diarrhea in Children. Pediatrics July 1991; 88 (1): 90–97. 10.1542/peds.88.1.90
Download citation file:
0 Comments
Comments Icon
Comments (0)
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Pay-Per-View Access
$25.00
29
Views
0
Citations