Clinical studies in persistent diarrhea: dietary management with green banana or pectin in Bangladeshi children.

2001-09
Gastroenterology 121(3)
- G H Rabbani
- T Teka
- B Zaman
- N Majid
- M Khatun
- G J Fuchs

PubMed: 11522739
DOI: 10.1053/gast.2001.27178

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 22
Population: 62 boys aged 5-12 months with persistent diarrhea
Methods: Double-blind trial, randomized to rice-based diet with green banana, pectin, or control for 7 days
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 7 days
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Background & aims

Because of the beneficial intestinal effects of dietary fibers, we have evaluated the therapeutic effects of green banana or pectin in children with persistent diarrhea.

Methods

In a double-blind trial, 62 boys, age 5-12 months, were randomly given a rice-based diet containing either 250 g/L of cooked green banana (n = 22) or 4 g/kg pectin (n = 19) or the rice-diet alone (control, n = 21), providing 54 kcal/dL daily for 7 days. Stool weight and consistency, frequency of vomiting and purging, and duration of illness were measured.

Results

Most children (60%) had no pathogens isolated from stools, 17% had rotavirus, 5% Vibrio cholerae, 4% Salmonella group B, and 11% had enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infections. By day 3 posttreatment, significantly (P < 0.001) more children recovered from diarrhea receiving pectin or banana than controls (59%, 55%, and 15%, respectively). By day 4, these proportions correspondingly increased to 82%, 78%, and 23%, respectively, the study diet groups being significantly (P < 0.001) different than controls. Green banana and pectin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced amounts of stool, oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluid, and numbers of vomiting, and diarrheal duration.

Conclusions

Green banana and pectin are useful in the dietary management of persistent diarrhea in hospitalized children and may also be useful to treat children at home.

Research Insights

green banana→Improved Diarrhea Recovery
By day 3 posttreatment, significantly (P < 0.001) more children recovered from diarrhea receiving pectin or banana than controls (59%, 55%, and 15%, respectively). By day 4, these proportions correspondingly increased to 82%, 78%, and 23%, respectively, the study diet groups being significantly (P < 0.001) different than controls.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
250 g/L
green banana→Reduced Diarrhea Rate
Green banana and pectin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced amounts of stool, oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluid, and numbers of vomiting, and diarrheal duration.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
250 g/L
green banana→Reduced Intravenous Fluid Requirement
Green banana and pectin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced amounts of stool, oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluid, and numbers of vomiting, and diarrheal duration.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
250 g/L
green banana→Reduced Oral Rehydration Solution Use
Green banana and pectin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced amounts of stool, oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluid, and numbers of vomiting, and diarrheal duration.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
250 g/L
green banana→Reduced Stool Volume
Green banana and pectin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced amounts of stool, oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluid, and numbers of vomiting, and diarrheal duration.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
250 g/L
green banana→Reduced Vomiting Frequency
Green banana and pectin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced amounts of stool, oral rehydration solution, intravenous fluid, and numbers of vomiting, and diarrheal duration.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
250 g/L