Fermented Milk Containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 in Childhood Constipation: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial Pediatrics, 06/16/2011

Tabbers MM et al. – In constipated children, the fermented dairy product containing B lactis strain DN–173 010 did increase stool frequency, but this increase was comparable in the control group. There is currently not sufficient evidence to recommend fermented dairy products containing B lactis strain DN–173 010 in this category of patients.

• In this prospective randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, 159 constipated children were randomly allocated to receive either a fermented dairy product that contains B lactis DN-173 010 or a control product twice a day for 3 weeks.
• The primary endpoint was the change in stool frequency from baseline to after 3 weeks of product consumption.
• Analyses were by intention to treat.

• Eleven children did not return to any follow-up visit (5 in the probiotic group, 6 in the control group) and were therefore excluded from the final analysis.
• 74 children in each group were analyzed.
• The change in stool frequency from baseline to after 3 weeks of product consumption increased in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant.
• There were no serious adverse events.