Effectivness of Probiotic on Treatment of Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Children

Helicobacter pylori (H.Pylori) is the most common chronic bacterial infection. In children it can cause malnutrition, anemia, gastrointestinal distress and failure to thrive. Unfortunately the treatment fails in 20% of patients because of low compliance, drug resistance and treatment’s side effects. Since probiotics have an anti bacterial effect, they can reduce the complications of treatment. In this study we evaluated probiotic effect in Hp. eradication in children.

This study was a randomized clinical trial in which 50 children with HP infection was divided in two treatment groups. In one group 25 children were treated by triple treatment (Amoxicillin, claritromycin, omeprazol) and probiotic (Protexin). Triple treatment and placebo was done to treat other 25 children in placebo group. We checked patients before treatment, and 14 days after treatment and also 2 and 4 weeks after terminating the treatment. In each visit the signs and symptoms and drug adherence was investigated. In the last visit we did UBT. The results were analyzed by χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests.

HP eradication in case group was 100% and in control group was 92% (P = 0.24). The prevalence of diarrhea, nausea, metallic taste in case group was significantly lower than control group, but the prevalence of constipation, vomiting, abdominal pain, low appetite, bloating was not different in two groups. In case AND Control groups 1.2% and 3.2% of drugs was not eaten respectively.

Based on our results we suggest probiotics only for reducing treatment's complications and increasing compliance in H.pylori treatment but not for eradication of infection.