Efficacy of Bacillus clausii in Pediatric Functional Constipation: A Pilot of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Indian Pediatr
; 2023 Jun; 60(6): 453-458
Article
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-225426
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
To evaluate the efficacy of Bacillus clausii in the treatment of pediatric constipation.Methods:
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted from January, 2021 to January, 2022 in children aged 1-5 years diagnosed with functional constipation according to Rome IV criteria. They were assigned to receive either B. clausii or placebo, once daily for four weeks. The primary out-come was treatment success (defined as ?3 spontaneous stools per week and stool consistency grade ?3 on Bristol stool chart). The secondary outcome was a comparison of stool frequency, consistency (defined by Bristol stool grade), and constipationrelated symptoms.Results:
This trial enrolled 38 children (B. clausii, n=20 and placebo, n=18). At 4 weeks, no significant difference was noted in the treatment success between B. clausii and placebo groups [45% vs 56%; P=0.52). On within-group analyses, the mean (SD) of Bristol stool grade increased in both the B. clausii [1.7 (0.5) to 2.8 (1.2); P=0.003] and placebo [1.8 (0.5) to 2.8 (1.2); P=0.01] groups. Significant increases in the treatment success rate (22% to 56%, P=0.01) and mean stool frequency per week [3 (0.9) to 4.2 (1.7), P=0.01] were pronounced only in the placebo group. The frequency of painful defecation and large fecal mass were also significantly decreased in both the groups. No serious adverse events were observed.Conclusion:
A 4-week course of B. clausii as the sole treatment was not more effective than a placebo for the management of functional constipation in children aged 1-5 years.
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Index:
IMSEAR
Journal:
Indian Pediatr
Year:
2023
Type:
Article