Across the 3 identified studies on Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R (studied as DSM 17938) for reducing diarrhea duration in children with acute gastroenteritis, 2 reported beneficial effects and 1 was neutral. Effect sizes ranged from small to large, with the most recent meta-analysis showing a small beneficial effect (mean difference -0.87 days). The evidence is predominantly in clinical pediatric populations with acute gastroenteritis; no consistent dose or form data were reported.
Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Findings are mixed: two meta-analyses report significant beneficial effects of varying magnitude (small and large), while one small RCT found no effect. The strains studied (DSM 17938 / ATCC 55730) may not be identical to MAK02L14R, limiting generalizability. Publication bias cannot be ruled out given the small number of studies and prevalence of positive findings.
Compared with placebo or no treatment, L. reuteri reduced diarrhea duration (four RCTs, n = 347, mean difference, MD -0.87 days, 95% CI [-1.43, -0.31]).
The duration of diarrhea after randomization in both groups was similar (P = 0.6).
Compared with placebo or no treatment, DSM 17938 significantly reduced the duration of diarrhoea (mean difference -32 h, 95% confidence interval (CI): -41 to -24)