Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis: Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for Treating Acute Gastroenteritis in Children. An Update
- 2019-11-14
- Nutrients 11(11)
- B. Patro-Gołąb
- H. Szajewska
- PubMed: 31739457
- DOI: 10.3390/nu11112762
Abstract
The effectiveness of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (L. reuteri) for the management of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) has been recently questioned. We performed a systematic review to update evidence on L. reuteri for treating AGE in children. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library databases, and additional data sources from January 2016 (end of search for our 2016 systematic review) to August 2019. The primary outcomes were stool volume and duration of diarrhea. Four RCTs were included. None of them evaluated stool volume. 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]). 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]). The small effect sizes of limited clinical relevance and methodological limitations of the included trials should be noted when interpreting these findings.
Keywords: children; diarrhea; infants; microbiota; probiotics; systematic review.
Research Insights
| Supplement | Health Outcome | Effect Type | Effect Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lactobacillus genseni | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus genseni | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 5289 | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri HA-188 | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri HA-188 | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri LRE02 | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri LRE02 | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri Osfortis | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri Osfortis | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri SD-5865 | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri SD-5865 | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri UALg-05 | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri UALg-05 | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri UALre-16 | Reduced Duration of Diarrhea | Beneficial | Small |
| Lactobacillus reuteri UALre-16 | Reduced Hospitalization Duration | Beneficial | Small |