Effect of a synbiotic on functional abdominal pain in childhood

One of the common functional gastrointestinal disorders in children is functional abdominal pain (FAP). The aim of the present study was to determine whether the administration of a synbiotic composed of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and the seven types of beneficial bacteria is useful in FAP of childhood.

In this placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, 4-15-year-old children who met the Rome III criteria for FAP were randomly divided to receive either synbiotic or placebo twice daily for 4 weeks. Primary outcome was at least 50% reduction in the number of pain episodes, and secondary outcomes were a decline of at least two scales in the pain duration and intensity based on Wong-Baker scale. Response to therapy was decrease of pain frequency/intensity.

A total of 67 children completed the trial (35 with synbiotic). Response rate was higher with synbiotic than placebo after four weeks (53.1 vs 11.4%; p<0.001), and synbiotic had significant superiority to placebo to relieve the duration (4.56±9.12 vs12±18.59, min/day, P=0.04), frequency (0.31±0.53vs 1.17±0.7, episode/Wk., P<.001) and intensity (2.38±2.29 vs 5.49±1.83, p<0.001) of abdominal pain.

Synbiotic compared to placebo significantly decreased the intensity, frequency and duration of FAP in children.