Only Lactobacillus GG showed a consistent effect .
There is evidence of a clinical ly significant benefit of probiotics in the treatment of  acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children , particularly in rotaviral gastroenteritis .
Lactobacillus GG showed the most consistent effect , although other probiotic strains may also be effective .
Clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the prophylactic interventions preclude drawing firm conclusions about the efficacy of probiotics in preventing acute gastroenteritis
BACKGROUND This review was design ed to assess the evidence from r and omized controlled trials on effects of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children .
Lactobacillus GG promotes recovery from acute nonbloody diarrhea in Pakistan.
A prospect i ve , placebo-controlled , triple blind clinical trial was carried out in Pakistan to determine the effect of Lactobacillus GG on the course of  acute diarrhea in hospitalized children . Forty children ( mean age , 13 months ) were enrolled and after rehydration received either oral Lactobacillus GG ( n = 21 ) or placebo ( n = 19 ) twice daily for 2 days , in addition to the usual diet . The clinical course of diarrhea was followed during the treatment period . Features on admission into the study groups were similar and were characterized by severe diarrhea , malnutrition and inappropriate management before presentation . Response was evident on Day 2 when the frequency of both vomiting and diarrhea was less in the Lactobacillus group . In those who had presented with acute nonbloody diarrhea ( n = 32 ) , the percentage of children with persistent watery diarrhea at 48 hours was significantly less in the Lactobacillus group : 31 % vs. 75 % ( P < 0.01 ) . No significant difference was observed by 48 hours in those presenting with bloody diarrhea . The relevance of this finding to the management of diarrhea in the tropics is discussed
Only Lactobacillus GG showed a consistent effect .
There is evidence of a clinical ly significant benefit of probiotics in the treatment of  acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children , particularly in rotaviral gastroenteritis .
Lactobacillus GG showed the most consistent effect , although other probiotic strains may also be effective .
Clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the prophylactic interventions preclude drawing firm conclusions about the efficacy of probiotics in preventing acute gastroenteritis
BACKGROUND This review was design ed to assess the evidence from r and omized controlled trials on effects of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children .