A systematic review and meta-analysis: the therapeutic and preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17,938 addition in children with diarrhea

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #child #infant #limosilactobacillus-reuteri #diarrhea

A systematic review and meta-analysis: the therapeutic and preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17,938 addition in children with diarrhea

Sun et al., 2023 | BMC Gastroenterol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Sun Xiaoqi, Kong Juan, ... Liu Chengjiang. A systematic review and meta-analysis: the therapeutic and preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17,938 addition in children with diarrhea. BMC Gastroenterol. 2023-May-05;23(1):141. doi:10.1186/s12876-023-02778-4

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the effect of adding Lactobacillus reuteri in the treatment plan for diarrheal disease in children, and analyze the potential of probiotics in preventing the occurrence of diarrheal disease. METHODS: Search for randomized controlled trials of Lactobacillus reuteri for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea in the Pubmed, Web of science, Medline, and Cochrane databases. Data such as the number of diarrhea patients, time, length of stay, clinical symptoms and effect of diarrhea prevention were extracted for meta-analysis. Relative risk and confidence interval (RR and 95% CI) were used as outcome indicators. RESULTS: 963 participants in the 9 RCTs came from multiple countries/regions. Compared with placebo/no intervention, the number of diarrhea patients in the Lactobacillus reuteri group was significantly reduced on the day 1 (RR = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.78-0.97) and day 2 (RR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.44-0.83). Cumulative statistics analysis showed that the effect was stable and significant starting on the 4th day after treatment. A few studies have shown that Lactobacillus reuteri can reduce the time of diarrhea, the number of days with watery stools, and days of hospital stay. However, it has no effect on the occurrence of nosocomial diarrhea (RR = 1.11, 95%CI: 0.68-1.83), rotavirus diarrhea (RR = 1.46, 95%CI: 0.78-2.72), antibiotic-related diarrhea (RR = 1.76, 95%CI: 0.77-4.05), and diarrhea (RR = 1.35, 95%CI: 0.95-1.92). CONCLUSION: Addition of Lactobacillus reuteri in the treatment plan has a significant effect on reducing the number of diarrhea and reducing the symptoms of diarrhea, but has no obvious effect on the prevention of diarrhea. Combining probiotics and improving the ability of probiotics to respond is the focus of attention.

Key Findings

963 participants in the 9 RCTs came from multiple countries/regions. Compared with placebo/no intervention, the number of diarrhea patients in the Lactobacillus reuteri group was significantly reduced on the day 1 (RR = 0.87, 95%CI: 0.78-0.97) and day 2 (RR = 0.61, 95%CI: 0.44-0.83). Cumulative statistics analysis showed that the effect was stable and significant starting on the 4th day after treatment. A few studies have shown that Lactobacillus reuteri can reduce the time of diarrhea, the numb

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 963
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Child
  • Infant
  • Limosilactobacillus reuteri
  • Diarrhea
  • Rotavirus
  • Probiotics
  • Length of Stay

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, Journal Article
  • Vertical: probiotics

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09