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

Study Design

Type: Meta-Analysis
Population: Children with acute gastroenteritis
Methods: Systematic Review

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

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938→Reduced Diarrhea Rate
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]).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938→Reduced Duration of Hospitalization
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]).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938→Reduced Stool Volume
None of them evaluated stool volume.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R→Reduced Duration of Diarrhea
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]).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus reuteri MAK02L14R→Reduced Hospitalization Duration
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]).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus reuteri UALre-16→Reduced Duration of Diarrhea
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]).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Lactobacillus reuteri UALre-16→Reduced Hospitalization Duration
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]).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small