Effectiveness of Probiotics Containing Lactobacilli in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children

The study evaluated the effectiveness of probiotics containing Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in 108 children aged 6-12 years. Results showed significant improvement in clinical symptoms after just 10 days of therapy, with 44.4% of patients experiencing almost no symptoms after 3 months. The study also noted a significant decrease in fecal calprotectin levels after 3 months, indicating reduced intestinal inflammation. The findings suggest that probiotics are effective for all clinical forms of IBS in children, with an optimal treatment duration of 1-3 months. Fecal calprotectin levels can guide the decision to continue or extend probiotic therapy.