Lack of Benefit of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 as an Addition to the Treatment of Functional Constipation.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17983 in the treatment of functional constipation in children. The trial was a single-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were allocated into the 2 groups; intervention group which received L reuteri DSM 17983 and lactulose and placebo group which received placebo and lactulose. Due to small recruitment rate study was terminated prematurely; therefore, only 33 children (12 girls, median age 4.5 years, range 2-16) were randomized. There was no difference between groups in the stool frequency, stool consistency, pain, soiling rate and dose of the lactulose. This study found that L reuteri DSM 17938 adds no benefit to the treatment of constipation in children. Due to small sample size, these results, however, should be interpreted with caution.