Evaluating the Effectiveness of Probiotics in the Treatment of Acute Diarrhea in Children: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Acute diarrhea remains a significant contributor to child morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing nations. Probiotics have been proposed as a therapeutic option to reduce the severity of diarrhea by positively influencing gut microbiota and boosting immune function. Despite this, the effectiveness of probiotics in treating acute diarrhea in children is still debated, with outcomes varying based on factors such as probiotic strain, dosage, and study design. Methods: To address this, a systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines across databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and SagePub, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from 2010 to 2024. Result: The review analyzed five studies investigating probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and mixed strains. The findings suggest that probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus strains, may provide benefits in managing pediatric acute diarrhea, especially in less severe cases. Conclusion: However, the variability in efficacy underscores the need for further research to determine the most effective strains and identify the patient groups that would benefit most, informing more tailored clinical applications.