Lactose-free compared with lactose-containing formula in dietary management of acute childhood diarrhea

ABSTRACT

Few reports are available on some benefits, such as shortened duration of diarrhea and better weight gain, for lactose-free over lactose-containing formula in acute childhood diarrhea. We evaluated the effects of lactose-free formula in dietary management of acute diarrhea in formula-fed children. This controlled-clinical trial was conducted on formula-fed children, aged 1 to 24 months, referring with acute non-bloody diarrhea [who had major systemic illness, severe malnutrition, severe dehydration, severe vomiting, or history of antibiotic therapy were not included. Children were allocated to receive lactose-free formula [intervention, n=37] or lactose-containing formula [control, n=34]. Time to diarrhea relief and weight change were compared between the two groups after one week. During the study, 32 male and 39 female children [7.1 +/- 3.7 months] were included. Those who received lactose-free formula had a significantly shorter time to diarrhea relief compared with the controls [1.7 +/- 0.7 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.7 days, P<0.001]. Weight significantly increased in both groups, but there was no difference between the two groups in weight change [37 +/- 100 vs. 38 +/- 77 gr, P=0.673]. Multivariate analysis showed that receiving lactose-free formula significantly predicted time to diarrhea relief [95% CI 1.5 to 3.9, P<0.001] controlling for baseline characteristics. Early administration of lactose-free formula for formula-fed children presenting with acute diarrhea can result in a more rapid relief of acute diarrhea and thus perhaps less mortality and morbidity. Trials with longer follow-ups are warranted to better evaluate long-term results such as weight change and feeding problems in this regard