Summary

Multiple probiotics have been shown to shorten the duration of watery diarrhea by about 24 hours and have demonstrated the ability to decrease the number of diarrheal stools even earlier in the course. The most commonly studied beneficial probiotic is LGG, and other beneficial strains include Lactobacillus reuteri and Saccharomyces boulardii. For families of children with acute infectious watery diarrhea, probiotics should be routinely discussed as a potential means of symptom improvement.

Dr. Jones is assistant professor of pediatric emergency medicine at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Dr. Cantor is professor of emergency medicine and pediatrics, director of the pediatric emergency department, and medical director of the Central New York Regional Poison Control Center at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.

References

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