tailieunhanh - Is Lactobacillus GG Helpful in Children With Crohn’s Disease? Results of a Preliminary, Open-Label Study

Bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis occurs predominantly in the first year of life and with decreasing frequency in the second and third years. The clinical features are rapid breathing and lower chest wall indrawing, fever in one-third of cases, and wheezing (Cherian and others 1990). Inflammatory obstruction of the small airways, which leads to hyperinflation of the lungs, and collapse of segments of the lung occur. Because the signs and symptoms are also characteristic of pneumonia, health workers may find differentiating between bronchiolitis and pneumonia difficult. Two features that may help are a definition of the sea- sonality of RSVs in the locality and the skill to detect wheezing. RSVs are the main cause. | Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition 31 453-457 October 2000 Lippincott Williams Wilkins Inc. Philadelphia Short Communication Is Lactobacillus GG Helpful in Children With Crohn s Disease Results of a Preliminary Open-Label Study Puneet Gupta Haikaeli Andrew Barbara S. Kirschner and Stefano Guandalini Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition The University of Chicago Children s Hospital Chicago Illinois . ABSTRACT Background Lactobacillus GG is a safe probiotic bacterium known to transiently colonize the human intestine. It has been found to be useful in treatment of several gastrointestinal conditions characterized by increased gut permeability. In the current study the efficacy of Lactobacillus GG was investigated in children with Crohn s disease. Methods In this open-label pilot evaluation viewed as a necessary preliminary step for a possible subsequent randomized placebo-controlled trial four children with mildly to moderately active Crohn s disease were given Lactobacillus GG 1010 colony-forming units CFU in enterocoated tablets twice a day for 6 months. Changes in intestinal permeability were measured by a double sugar permeability test. Clinical activity was determined by measuring the pediatric Crohn s disease activity index. Results There was a significant improvement in clinical activity 1 week after starting Lactobacillus GG which was sustained throughout the study period. Median pediatric Crohn s disease activity index scores at 4 weeks were 73 lower than baseline. Intestinal permeability improved in an almost parallel fashion. Conclusions Findings in this pilot study show that Lactobacillus GG may improve gut barrier function and clinical status in children with mildly to moderately active stable Crohn s disease. Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials are warranted for a final assessment of the efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in Crohn s disease. JPGN 31 453-457 2000. Key Words Children Crohn s disease .