Using oral rehydration solution (oral rehydration salt) with the addition of probiotic strain for the treatment of children with acute infectious pathology

Abstract

Background. Dehydration may be present in children with acute infectious pathology, for elimination of which we can use oral rehydration solutions (oral rehydration salts). When antibiotic therapy is prescribed, about 11–40 % of children have antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). To prevent the development of AAD, it is recommended to use probiotic drugs. Purpose of the study: to examine the efficacy and tolerability of the oral rehydration solution (Rehydron Bio) to maintain the water-electrolyte balance and prevent dysbiotic disorders in children with acute infectious diseases. Materials and methods. The study involved 60 children aged 3 to 14 years old with acute infectious diseases, who underwent in-patient treatment at the clinical basis of the department of children’s infectious diseases of Bogomolets NMU and received antibacterial therapy. The main group consisted of 30 children, who received Rehydron Bio as a part of comprehensive therapy. The comparison group included 30 children, who received standard therapy and were compensated for fluid loss by traditional means (tea, drinking water, etc.). Results. Among dehydration symptoms, the most often ones were the thirst and dryness of the mucous membranes, which were detected in 40–63 % of patients during the first day after hospitalization. The restoration of water-electrolyte balance due to the introduction of water and basic mineral substances ensures the rapid disappearance of dehydration symptoms. The AAD was detected in 10.0 % of patients in comparison group, the additional introduction of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG prevented the development of this complication. Conclusions. Oral rehydration with Rehydron Bio is an effective therapy of water-electrolyte disturbances in children with acute infectious diseases. The presence in Rehydron Bio of probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG allows it to be used to prevent AAD in children with acute infectious diseases.

Keywords

• dehydration
• antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• children