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Health News Archive 686 - Constipation
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Probiotics Ease Constipation

The probiotic Lactobacillus casei rhamnosu (Lcr35) was effective in treating children with chronic constipation.

In the double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, 45 children under age 10 with chronic constipation were assigned to receive either Lcr35, magnesium oxide (MgO, 50 mg/kg/day), or placebo orally twice daily for four weeks. Lactulose was given (1 mL/kg/d) when no stool passage was noted for three days. A glycerin enema was used only when no defecation was noted for over five days, or when there was abdominal pain due to stool impaction.

Stool bacterial cultures were performed before and after treatment to evaluate the change of intestinal flora. Comparisons among the three groups were made in the frequency of defecation, consistency of stool, and the use of lactulose or enema during the period of treatment.

Researchers found patients who received Magnesium or probiotics had a higher defecation frequency, higher percentage of treatment success, less use of glycerin enema and less hard stool than the placebo group. There was no significant difference between MgO and probiotic groups in the previously mentioned comparisons.

Noticeable effects of MgO (in the second week) on constipation came earlier than that of probiotics (second to third week). Abdominal pain occurred less frequently in the probiotic group than in both the MgO and the placebo groups; there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in the use of lactulose, episodes of fecal soiling and change of appetite.

No adverse effect was noted in probiotic and placebo groups. Only one patient in the MgO group suffered from mild diarrhea. Researchers concluded probiotics were effective in treating children with chronic constipation.

Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in efficacy between MgO and Lcr35, but less abdominal pain occurred when using Lcr35.

Source: Pediatrics International (49(4):485–490. DOI:10.1111/j.1442-200X.2007.02397.x).

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