Feasibility studies to control acute diarrhoea in children by feeding fermented milk preparations Actimel and Indian Dahi (original) (raw)

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 56, pages S56–S59 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

The aim of this work was to study feasibility of diarrhoea control in children (6 months to 5 y of age) by feeding fermented milk preparations. The design used was a randomized controlled clinical trial and the study was carried out at the Delhi University College Hospital providing tertiary care, and a nearby community centre Nand Nagri, a resettlement colony in East Delhi. Children suffering from acute diarrhoea (75 patients from the hospital and 75 from the community) were allocated to three groups by double-blind technique. Group 1 was given a fermented milk, Actimel, containing 108 of each Lactobacillus casei DN-114001, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus per gram. Group 2 was given Indian Dahi (Lf 40) containing 108 of each Lactococcus lactis, Lactococcus lactis cremoris and Leuconostac mesenteroides cremoris per gram. Group 3 was given ultra-heat-treated yoghurt preparation (no live bacteria). Actimel was also used as a starter to prepare the curd in order to study the preventive effect of diarrhoea in children in a community. In the hospital study Indian Dahi and Actimel administration reduced mean duration of diarrhoea by 0.3 and 0.6 day (P<0.001), respectively. The corresponding figures in the community study were 0.2 and 0.5 day (P<0.05), respectively. The families using Actimel as a starter showed a reduction in diarrhoeal morbidity episodes by 40% of the children tested in a 3 month follow-up. In conclusion, Actimel, fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei DN-114001, and Indian Dahi can significantly reduce the duration of diarrhoea in children; the former preparation being superior.

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Author notes

  1. KN Agarwal: Guarantor: KN Agarwal
  2. KN Agarwal and SK Bhasin: Contributors: KNA and SKB planned and monitored the study. Both authors were involved in drafting of the manuscript.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
    KN Agarwal
  2. Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, India
    SK Bhasin

Authors

  1. KN Agarwal
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  2. SK Bhasin
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Correspondence toKN Agarwal.

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Agarwal, K., Bhasin, S. Feasibility studies to control acute diarrhoea in children by feeding fermented milk preparations Actimel and Indian Dahi.Eur J Clin Nutr 56 (Suppl 4), S56–S59 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601664

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