WebMD Medical News Louise Chang, MD April 20, 2007 -- Gut-
friendly bacteria called probiotics may help prevent children's
diarrhea associated with the use of antibiotics. That's
according to a new research review by Sunita Vohra, MD, and
colleagues. Vohra is an associate professor of pediatrics at
Canada's University of Alberta. Antibiotics may reduce helpful
bacteria in the gut, making diarrhea more likely. Probiotics
might help restore the gut's bacterial balance, note the They
conclude that "the current data are promising, but it is
premature to routinely recommend probiotics for the prevention
of pediatric Vohra's team analyzed 10 studies that together
included 1,986 children up to 18 years old. The children took
antibiotics for various conditions. They were randomly assigned
to also take supplements containing probiotics, inactive pills
(placebo), or other treatments to prevent antibiotic-associated
diarrhea. Each study was designed differently. They didn't all
use the same probiotics or the same doses o