LACTOBACILLUS GG AND ACUTE DIARRHEA IN YOUNG-CHILDREN IN THE TROPICS

A prospective, placebo controlled, triple blind clinical trial was und ertaken in Thailand to determine the effect of Lactobacillus GG on rec overy from acute diarrhoea in children. Thirty-nine children (mean age =8 months) mere enrolled and following rehydration received either ora l Lactobacillus GG (n=20) as a freeze-dried preparation or placebo (n= 19) twice daily far 2 days. The clinical characteristics of the study groups were similar. There was no significant difference overall in cl inical response detected between the study groups. When only those wit h acute non-bloody diarrhoea (n=26) were considered, the mean duration of diarrhoea was significantly shorter in the lactobacillus group (1. 9 days) than in the placebo group (3.3 days) (P<0.055). Stool frequenc y was less on the second day in the lactobacillus group (P<0.05). The results suggest that Lactobacillus GG accelerates recovery from acute watery diarrhoea in young children in a tropical setting.