Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in prevention of nosocomial diarrhea in infants

J Pediatr. 2001 Mar;138(3):361-5. doi: 10.1067/mpd.2001.111321.

Abstract

Objective: Nosocomial diarrhea is a major problem in pediatric hospitals worldwide. We evaluated the efficacy of orally administered Lactobacillus GG (LGG) in the prevention of this disease in young children.

Study design: Eighty-one children aged 1 to 36 months who were hospitalized for reasons other than diarrhea were enrolled in a double-blind trial and randomly assigned at admission to receive LGG (n = 45) at a dose of 6 x 10(9) colony-forming units or a comparable placebo (n = 36) twice daily orally for the duration of their hospital stay.

Results: LGG reduced the risk of nosocomial diarrhea (> or =3 loose or watery stools/24 h) in comparison with placebo (6.7% vs 33.3%; relative risk: 0.2; [95% CI: 0.06-0.6]; number needed to treat: 4 [95% CI: 2-10]). The prevalence of rotavirus infection was similar in LGG and placebo groups (20% vs 27.8%, respectively; relative risk: 0.72; 95% CI: 0.33-1.56). However, the use of LGG compared with placebo significantly reduced the risk of rotavirus gastroenteritis (1/45 [2.2%] vs 6/36 [16.7%], respectively; relative risk: 0.13; 95% CI: 0.02-0.79; number needed to treat: 7; 95% CI: 3-40).

Conclusions: Prophylactic use of LGG significantly reduced the risk of nosocomial diarrhea in infants, particularly nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross Infection / etiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / etiology
  • Diarrhea, Infantile / prevention & control*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Lactobacillus*
  • Male
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Probiotics / therapeutic use*
  • Risk
  • Rotavirus Infections / epidemiology
  • Rotavirus Infections / prevention & control