EFFECT OF LACTOBACILLUS
ACIDOPHILUS LB ON RECURRING ABDOMINAL PAIN IN CHILDHOOD
Kamel BARGAOUI
Unite
d'exploration digestive – Groupe Medical Mere enfant - SEVRAN - France
Objective: Taking into consideration the proved effects of
prebiotics and probiotics in gastrointestinal disorders, our prospective
study tests the effect of L. acidophilus LB (LacteolÒ Fort sachet, Laboratoire du Lacteol, Houdan,
France) on recurring abdominal pain
in children related to lactose intolerance.
Methods: This Prospective open study concerned 48
children from 3 to 13 years old (26 boys, 22 girls) presenting recurring
abdominal pain at least during the last 3 months, with flatulence and
irregular bowel movement. A clinical analysis (standard questionnaire) and
an expired hydrogen breath-test (EHBT) after lactose load are realised
before the treatment and at least 15 days after the end of the treatment.
The treatment was given during 10 days with 10.109 Lactobacillus
acidophilus LB (killed by heating the fermented breeding ground) given
twice per day. The post-treatment evaluation includes a clinical analysis
(physical examination and standard questionnaire) 1, 3 and 6 months after
the end of the treatment to spot abdominal pain recurrence.
Results: 63% of cases are happening few weeks or months
after acute rotavirus gastro-enteritis. Expired hydrogen breath test (EHBT)
after lactose load are pathological in all the children before the
treatment. In 82% of cases, the EHBT is normal one month after the end of
the treatment and the clinical evaluation shows that there is no more
abdominal pain episode during the following 6 months.
Discussion: the proved effects, in previous in
vitro studies, of L. acidophilus LB on enterocyte structural and functional
protection and on intestinal flora modification allows us to think that
some of the metabolites of killed L. acidophilus LB may have or/and induce
lactase-like effect in the intestine. This hypothesis, based on an effect
process different than probiotics or prebiotics, can explain the efficacy
of this treatment on recurring abdominal pain related to lactose
intolerance in childhood.
The
effect of killed L. acidophilus LB is proven in the immediate post
treatment period and during the following 6 months, but a long term study
will be needed to show if this effect is extended more than 6 months.
Conclusion: This study shows the interest of the treatment
of recurring abdominal pain related to lactose intolerance in childhood by
killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB with a real clinical benefit.