Abstract
The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of Saccharomyces boulardii compared with zinc supplementation in acute non-bloody diarrhea in children. This randomized, prospective clinical trial included a total of 150 children. Group A (n=75) received S. boulardii and group B (n=75) received zinc. The mean age of the patients in group A was 13.0 +/- 6.5 months and in group B was 14.0 +/- 5.6 months. In group A, at day-3, the mean grade of stool was 2.0 +/- 0.9. In group B, at day-3, the mean grade of stool was 2.3 +/- 1.1. In group A, at day-3, the mean frequency of stool was 2.8 +/- 1.7. In group B, at day-3, the mean frequency of stool was 2.3 +/- 1.1. In group A, 60(80%) patients had efficacy of treatment and in group B, 45(60%) patients had efficacy of treatment. It is concluded from this study that Saccharomyces boulardii is efficacious in more cases when used for the management of acute childhood diarrhea as compared to zinc supplementation.