Probiotic Has No Effect on Intestinal Disease in Toddlers

ST. LOUIS--Researchers from Washington University School of Medicine, in conjunction with scientists from numerous other universities, reported Lactobacillus GG had no intestinal benefit when given to toddlers who were at risk for tropical enteropathy (small intestine disease). Published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (82, 5:1040-45, 2005), the placebo-controlled, randomized, double blind study involved 164 children aged 3 to 5 years, who were treated with either the probiotic or a placebo for 30 days.

The children were all from Malawi, a tropical African country where toddlers are at considerable risk of contracting tropical enteropathy--an asymptomatic atrophy of the small bowel that is prevalent in the developing world and associated with altered intestinal function and integrity. Of the 161 children who completed the study, 119 had already developed tropical enteropathy upon enrollment.

The scientists measured ratios of urinary lactulose to mannitol (L:M) and of urinary sucrose to lactulose (S:L) excretion. Children receiving Lactobacillus GG did not differ significantly from the placebo group in the excretion (in percent of dose administered) of mannitol, lactulose or sucrose. Further, L:M and S:L also did not differ significantly between the probiotic and placebo groups. The researchers concluded administration of Lactobacillus GG for 30 days had no effect on the intestinal integrity of Malawian toddlers.

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