[Efficiency of lactose-free formula feeding as an adjunctive therapy in infants with acute diarrhea].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To study the efficiency of lactose-free formula feeding as an adjunctive therapy in infants with acute diarrhea.

METHODS:

A rigorous double-blind, randomized, controlled equivalence trial was performed. One hundred and twenty infants with acute diarrhea were randomly divided into two groups: lactose-free formula and conventional formula feeding. The two groups were given conventional medical treatment and oral rehydration therapy. The therapeutic effects were observed 1 week after treatment.

RESULTS:

The cure rate and the total effective rate were 58.3% and 96.7% respectively in the lactose-free formula group, and they were 8.3% and 85.0% respectively in the conventional formula group. There were significant differences in the therapeutic effect between the two groups (p<0.05). The duration of diarrhea remission (3.17+/-1.04 days) in the lactose-free formula group was significantly shorter than that in the conventional formula group (5.25+/-1.58 days) (p<0.05). After treatment the incidence of fecal flora disturbance was lower in the lactose-free formula group than that in the conventional formula group (p<0.05). No aderverse events were observed in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lactose-free formula feeding together with conventional therapy can significantly shorten the disease course and improve the treatment outcome in infants with acute diarrhea.

• Authors: Jia-Hua Xu, Ying Huang
• Journal: Zhongguo dang dai er ke za zhi = Chinese journal of contemporary pediatrics (Zhongguo Dang Dai Er Ke Za Zhi) Vol. 11 Issue 7 Pg. 532-6 (Jul 2009) ISSN: 1008-8830 [Print] China
• PMID: 19650983 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Lactose

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Diarrhea, Infantile (microbiology, therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant Formula
• Infant, Newborn
• Intestines (microbiology)
• Lactose
• Male