PurposeThe aim of this study was to analyze the effects of probiotics and zinc supplements on the mean duration and frequency of acute diarrhea in children aged 6 months to 2 years.MethodsIn this clinical trial of infants aged between 6 months and 2 years, eligible patients were divided into 3 groups: Zinc Receiving Group (ZRG), Probiotic Receiving Group (PRG), and a control group receiving supportive care alone. The frequency of diarrhea was evaluated in the test groups during the first 24 hours and 48–72 hours, along with the duration of hospitalization and diarrhea persistence for 3–7 days.ResultsDiarrhea persisted for until the third day of admission in 100% of the infants in PRG compared with only 76.1% in ZRG. The relative risk of diarrhea persistence in the PRG was 1.31 times more than in ZRG until the third day. Also, 80% of diarrhea cases in the PRG persisted until the fourth day of admission, compared with 47.8% in the ZRG group, and this value was significant. The relative incidence of diarrhea persistence in the PRG was 36.4 times greater than in the ZRG until the day 4. Also, the percentage of post-treatment complications was 35.5% in the PRG and 2.6% in the ZRG, which was significant.ConclusionIn our study, the effectiveness of zinc at a dose of 20 mg was higher than that of probiotics. The complications associated with zinc supplementation were lower than those of probiotics.

Background: The prevalence of infant colic is high and it has a significant impact on the live of the infants and their families, given that effective treatment has not been found. Objective: The aim of this study to evaluate the effects of pedilact probiotic drops for the treatment of infants colic in children. Methods: This study was carried out on 72 infants, presented with infantile colic who were admitted to the Tehran children Medical Center. These children were assigned randomly (using 2 blindedrandomized trial) into two equal groups named PRR (Probiotic receiving) and PCR (Placebo receiving) groups. The demographic information of the infants such as age and sex, maternal age, patient admission time and confounding factors such as passive smoker, family history of atopy, antibiotic use, and delivery type was recorded in both groups based on the statements provided by the mothers. The weight of the infants was also recorded. Results: There was no significant difference in the distribution of infant's sex, mother's age, type of labor, type of nutrition, quality of life and exposure to smoke between the two groups. The weight of the newborns increased in each of the two groups and there was a significant increase in the PRR group (p value < 0.0001), while in the PCR group no significant growth was observed (p value ¼ 0.437). The frequency of crying in both groups decreased over the time, which was significant in PRR group only (p value < 0.001). There were no significant difference between PRR and PCR groups in fecal consistency and pattern of sleep on each day of 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 (28 days p value ¼ 0.475 and 0.086, respectively).

INTRODUCTION: Children with refractory constipation might not respond to conventional medical treatments. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of intrarectal botulinum toxin type A/electromotive drug administration (BoNTA/EMDA) on constipation in these children and compared its efficacy with routine intrasphincteric BoNTA injection. METHODS: From 2017 to 2019, 60 children aged 5–13 years who fulfilled Rome III criteria for intractable constipation were enrolled and randomly assigned into 2 treatment groups. EMDA group (n = 30) underwent BoNTA/EMDA, whereas the control group (n = 30) received injection of BoNTA into the internal anal sphincter. A complete bowel habit diary (with data on the frequency of defecation per week, stool form, and the number of fecal soiling episodes), a constipation score questionnaire, and a visual pain score were recorded before treatment and at 1 month and 6 months after treatment. In addition, children in both groups were assessed with a constipation-related quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: After 1-month follow-up, treatment reduced the number of patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria in both EMDA (24/30, 80%) and injection (25/30, 83.3%) groups (P < 0.001). The stool form was normalized in 73.3% (22/30) in EMDA group and 80% (24/30) in injection group after treatment. The median of constipation score and pain score decreased significantly in both groups after treatment (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). DISCUSSION: BoNTA/EMDA seems to be as effective as intrasphincteric BoNTA injection for treatment of intractable constipation. In addition, this technique is associated with less comorbidity, is less costly, and can be performed in an office-based setting without general anesthesia.

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