THE EFFECTIVENESS OF POLYCOMPONENT PROBIOTICS INCLUDING STRAINS OF LACTOBACILLUS ACIDOPHILUS LA-14, LACTOBACILLUS REUTERI AND BIFIDOBACTERIUM LACTIS IN FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS IN EARLY AGED CHILDREN: THE RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE, OPEN, OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Objective: a prospective, open, observational study to assess the tolerability and efficacy of multicomponent probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-14, Lactobacillus plantarum LP-115, Bifidobacterium longum BB 536 with functional gastrointestinal disorders in early aged children and in frequently ill children. Methods: the first part of the study included 35 infants with functional gastrointestinal disorders during the onset of intestinal colic, dentition, transition from breast to artificial feeding: 25 children received a multicomponent probiotic, 10 children made up a control group. The second part of the study included 40 patients aged 18-24 months during and after taking antibiotics due to virus-bacterial diseases: 20 children received a probiotic and 20 children with similar problems and diseases made up a control group. The study design included 2 visits with an assessment of clinical signs, a coprological study, a quantitative microbiological seeding of feces for the maintenance of microorganisms. The levels of sIgA and lysozyme in coprofiltrates were determined. Results: as a result of assessing the tolerability and clinical effectiveness of the multicomponent probiotic usage in children of the first group with functional gastrointestinal disorders, a good tolerance of the probiotic was established. The improvement of the gastrointestinal tract with its dysfunction associated with dentition, transition from breast to artificial feeding was noted. The probiotic usage in a standard dosage and duration of 2 weeks resulted in clinical (normalization of stool frequency and consistency and other characteristic manifestations: regurgitation, flatulence, frequency and intensity of colic) and laboratory improvement. In the group of children who received the multicomponent probiotic in combination with an antibiotic, an active immunological reaction of the children’s organism to the viral-bacterial disease was noted the increasing concentration of sIgA and lysozyme in coprofiltrates. Conclusion: The multicomponent probiotic containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-14, Lactobacillus plantarum LP-115, Bifidobacterium longum BB 536, can be recommended for widespread usage in early aged children with functional gastrointestinal disorders including disturbance of the stool, flatulence, intestinal colic, as well as in unfavorable conditions, which are associated with a risk of microbiocenosis and immunological intestinal tolerance disorders. Preparations should be used from the first day of antibiotic therapy and continue for 2-3 weeks after the end of admission. The study showed good tolerability of the probiotic, there were no side and undesirable effects.