Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. One of the most common indications for probiotic treatment is the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Unfortunately, many probiotic products used for AAD are not supported by rigorous independent research, and often results in non-evidence-based usage. The overarching objective is to move research forward for the most well-studied Bifidobacterium strain. The primary aim is to test the efficacy of high dose, BB-12-supplemented yogurt in preventing AAD, compared to yogurt without BB-12, in children receiving antibiotics. Other aims are to further assess the safety of yogurt supplemented with BB-12, and to carry out longitudinal community structure and gene expression analysis of fecal microbiota to evaluate the impact of high dose BB-12 in a pediatric population receiving antibiotics. The microbiota includes hundreds of species, and its disruption is hypothesized to be an important factor in the development of AAD.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
255
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12-supplemented yogurt
Yogurt without Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12
Georgetown University Department of Family Medicine, Research Division
Washington D.C., District of Columbia, United States
Number of Participants Experiencing Diarrhea
Diarrhea is clinically defined as three or more loose stools per day for two consecutive days. This will be a dichotomous (yes or no) outcome of diarrhea.
Time frame: 14 days
Adverse Events
Number of reported adverse events over the duration of the study
Time frame: Days 0-180
Pediatric Quality-of-life Score
The PedsQL Measurement Measurement Model for the Pediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory. Based on the PedsQL form filled out by participants, the scores were translated using the PedsQL form guidelines: 0=100, 1=75, 2=50,3=25,4=0. The raw scores of participants were averaged after translation. The lowest possible score is 0 and the highest possible score is 100. A higher score indicates a healthier lifestyle.
Time frame: 7 days
Number of Events: Symptoms of Loose Stools, Constipation, Fever, Flatulence, Lack of Appetite, Pain, Rash, Vomiting, Cough, Earache, Nasal Congestion, Runny Nose, Sore Throat, Diarrhea.
This will be a dichotomous (yes or no) outcome of loose stools, constipation, fever, flatulence, lack of appetite, pain, rash, vomiting, cough, earache, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat.
Time frame: 14 days
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