Probiotic Lessens Tummy Pain in Children

MESSINA, Italy—New research suggests relief for children with functional abdominal pain (FAP) may come from probiotic supplementation. Published July 8 ahead of print in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, the double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial featured 60 children (aged 6 to 16 years) pre-screened FAP using the Rome III criteria. The children were randomly selected to receive either Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (2 × 108 CFU/day) or placebo for four weeks followed by a four-week follow-up period without supplementation. Throughout the duration of the intervention and follow-up, the subjects self-recorded the frequency and intensity of pain. Results showed children taking L. reuteri experienced significantly less intense abdominal pain than did those taking  placebo. The researchers concluded, “Supplementation with L. reuteri reduced perceived abdominal pain intensity, which may encourage clinicians to use this probiotic in children with FAP.”