Across 3 studies (2 meta-analyses and 1 RCT), all reported beneficial effects of Lactobacillus reuteri on reducing hospitalization duration. Effect sizes were mixed (small to large): a large reduction (−10.77 days) was observed in preterm neonates, while smaller reductions (−0.54 days) were seen in children with acute gastroenteritis. Two of the three studies were statistically significant; no specific dose or form was consistently reported.
Caveats: All three studies used Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, not specifically the MAK02L14R strain — results may not fully generalize. Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive, but clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Effect size appears substantially larger in preterm neonates (−10.77 days) than in children with gastroenteritis (−0.54 days), suggesting population-specific effects.
L. reuteri use was also associated with a reduced duration of hospitalization (three RCTs, n = 284, MD -0.54 days, 95% CI [-1.09, 0.0]).
Compared with the placebo group, patients in the L. reuteri group had a shorter duration of hospitalization (P = 0.048).
Meta-analysis of RCTs estimated that the duration of hospitalization (-10.77 days; 95% CI, -13.67 to -7.86; 3 RCTs) was reduced in the L reuteri group.