Alternative Health Blog

Probiotics in the Treatment of Childhood Constipation

By Derrick DeSilva Jr., M.D., Community Insider -- Published: March 16, 2011

In a study involving 20 children (75% male, 25% female) between the ages of 3 and 16 years with "functional constipation," supplementation with probiotics (one sachet/day containing 108 - 1010 cfu Bifidobacterium breve) for a period of 4 weeks was found to significantly increase the frequency of defecation from 0.9 at baseline to 4.9 in week 4, increase stool consistency from 2.6 at baseline to 3.5 in week 4, and significantly decrease the number of fecal incontinence episodes per week from 9.0 at baseline to 1.5 in week 4. Furthermore, episodes of abdominal pain significantly decreased from 4.2 at baseline to 1.9 in week 4. No adverse effects were noted.

Reference:

"Is Bifidobacterium breve effective in the treatment of childhood constipation? Results from a pilot study," Tabbers MM, deMilliano I, et al, Nutr J, 2011 Feb 23; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Merit M.M.Tabbers, MD, PhD, Emma Children's Hospital, H7-250, Academic Medical Centre, PO Box 22700, 1100 DD Amsterdam. Email: m.m.tabbers@amc.nl ).

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