Aim: To determine outcome of probiotics in treatment of acute diarrhea in children aged 6 months to 5 years as compared to control

Setting: Department of Pediatrics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar

Duration: From 23 May, 2019 to 23 Nov, 2019

Study design: Randomized Control Trial

Methodology: 200 children were divided in two equal groups. Group A were given Probiotics (Saccharomyces boulardii) in a dose of 250-500 mg daily in two divided doses for 5 days, in addition to oral rehydration solution 50-100ml and 100-200ml after each loose stool in child aged <2 years and >5 years respectively. Group B were given only oral rehydration solution in same amount as prescribed to Group A. All the children were followed up at day 4. Outcome was assessed in terms of duration of diarrhea and improvement in number of stools per day at the 5th day of presentation.

Results: In Group A, 92(92%) patients showed improvement while in Group B, 71(71%) patients showed improvement.

Conclusion: Probiotics are found to be significantly more effective in reducing the stool frequency in ac. diarrhea.

Keywords: Acute diarrhea, Probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii (SB)