Paediatrica Indonesiana (Oct 2016)

The role of bovine colostrum on recovery time and length of hospital stay of acute diarrhea in infants and children: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

  • IGN Suwarba,
  • Sudaryat S,
  • Hendra S,
  • IKG Suandi,
  • Raka Widiana

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14238/pi46.3.2006.127-33
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 46, no. 3
pp. 127 – 33

Abstract

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Background WHO standard treatment for acute diarrhea remains unsatisfying to the parents of acute diarrhea patients, particularly the need of medical treatment. Bovine colostrum contains immune and growth factors that is thought able to neutralize some agents causing acute diarrhea in infants and children. Objective To evaluate the efficacy of bovine colostrum as adju- vant therapy on recovery time and length of hospital stay for acute diarrhea in infants and children. Methods A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on infants and children with acute diarrhea admitted to Sanglah Hospital. Treatment group received standard therapy with bovine colostrums and control group received standard therapy plus pla- cebo. The primary outcomes were achievement of recovery time and length of hospital stay. Recovery time was determined by the number of days needed to achieve defecation frequency <3 times/ day and needed to achieve normal stool consistency. Results Seventy infants and children were enrolled. The treatment group significantly achieved recovery time earlier than the control group in regard to the time of achieving defecation frequency to <3 times/ day [2.31 (0.76) vs 3.34 (1.45); mean difference of -1.03; P= 0.001; CI 95% -1.58;-0.48] and normal stool consistency [2.40 (0.77) vs 3.43 (1.48); mean difference of -1.03; P = 0.001; CI 95% -1.59;-0.46]. Length of hospital stay was shorter in the treatment group than the control group [2.89 (0.78) vs 3.94 (1.53); mean difference of -1.05; P= 0.001; CI 95% (-1.3;-0.7)]. No significant difference was found in mean of body weight recovery in two groups [0.47 (0.16) vs 0.49 (0.20); mean difference of -0.03; P=0.556; CI 95%: -0.11;0.06]. Age, nutritional status, breastfeeding, and diarrhea before admission did not influ- ence the study outcome. Conclusion Bovine colostrums as an adjuvant in standard therapy for acute diarrhea in infants and children is effective in regard to achieve earlier recovery time and shorter length of hospital stay

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