Prophylactic use of yoghurt reduces antibiotic induced diarrhoea in children

Objective To assess whether locally manufactured yoghurt could be used prophylactically to reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children.

Patients and Method Patients admitted to a general paediatric ward due to an illness other than diarrhoea and who were treated with amoxycillin or co-amoxyclav were recruited for the study. Patients were allocated randomly to the test and control groups. The test group was treated with a yoghurt (75ml) every morning for 3 consecutive days with the commencement of antibiotics. The stool consistency and frequency were recorded for 3 days following administration of antibiotics.

Results All patients (76) were between 6 months and 5 years of age. There were 42 females and 34 males. In the test group 2/39 developed diarrhoea while in the control group 10/37 developed diarrhoea following antibiotic treatment. The data was analysed using Fisher's Exact test. 27% in control group and 5.4% in treated group had developed diarrhoea. Two sided probability for the test is 0.0252.

Conclusion Antibiotic induced diarrhoea could be minimized by the prophylactic administration of yoghurt with the commencement of antibiotic treatment.  

Key words: yoghurt, antibiotic induced diarrhoea, children

DOI = 10.4038/sljch.v36i2.50

Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2007; 36: 53-6