New study published: Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis effective in infants with chronic constipation

Constipated infants supplemented with L. reuteri Protectis had a significantly
higher frequency of bowel movements compared to the placebo group. Stool
consistency improved significantly in the L. reuteri Protectis group, although
no significant difference was seen compared to placebo.
- This is the first study to show that L. reuteri has positive effects on
infants suffering from chronic constipation, says Professor Annamaria Staiano,
Department of Pediatrics, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled study 44 infants with confirmed chronic
functional constipation were randomly assigned to treatment with either L.
reuteri Protectis drops (DSM 17938, 10^8 CFU/day) or placebo for eight weeks.
Outcome measures included frequency of bowel movements per week, stool
consistency and presence of inconsolable crying episodes.

Treatment success was defined as equal to or more than three bowel movements per
week. At week two the success rate was 91 % in the L. reuteri Protectis group
compared to 59 % in the placebo group. At week four the figures were 100 % and
68 % respectively and at week eight 100 % in the probiotic group and 73 % in the
placebo group.

Stool consistency improved significantly in the L. reuteri Protectis group
during the treatment, from 86 % reported as hard at baseline to 50 % at week two
and 18 % at weeks four and eight. However, there were no significant differences
in stool consistency between the L. reuteri Protectis and placebo groups at any
of the measuring points. No differences were observed in crying behaviour
between the groups at any time point, which was expected since this population
was too old to display colic.

- The results of the study again show the positive effect of L. reuteri
Protectis on infant gut function and further strengthens BioGaia's position in
the infant segment, says Eamonn Connolly, Senior Vice President Research at
BioGaia.

The study was published online on the 14th of June 2010 in the Journal of
Pediatrics: http://www.jpeds.com/article/S0022-3476(10)00385-9/abstract

For additional information contact:
Annamaria Staiano, MD, Department of Pediatrics, University Federico II:
staiano@unina.it
Eamonn Connolly, Senior Vice President Research, BioGaia: +46 8-555 293 00 or
ec@biogaia.se




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