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Efficacy of Lactobacillus Reuteri Probiotic in the Bowel Preparation Regimen of Children Candidates for Colonoscopy Publisher



Rahmani P1 ; Ebrahimi M1 ; Rohani P1 ; Sohouli MH1 ; Magalhaes EIDS2
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Pediatrics Centre of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Postgraduate Program in Food, Nutrition and Health, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

Source: JGH Open Published:2025


Abstract

Objective: Bowel preparation can directly affect the final outcome of a colonoscopy. However, limited studies have been conducted regarding the effect of probiotics on intestinal preparation. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus reuteri probiotics in the bowel preparation regimen of children who are candidates for colonoscopy. Methods and Materials: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, 84 colonoscopy candidate pediatric patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into two equal groups of 42 individuals. One group of patients underwent the bisacodyl, polyethylene glycol regimen 48 h before colonoscopy, as along with a placebo. The other group was administered L. reuteri 10 days before colonoscopy and also received bisacodyl and polyethylene glycol 48 h before the procedure. Then, the bowel preparation of the patients was assessed using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS). Results: The mean age of patients in the placebo and probiotic groups was 94.1 ± 43.8 and 111.2 ± 48.8 months, respectively (p = 0.10). The preparation of the left colon was not significantly different between the placebo and probiotic groups (p = 0.075). The effect of L. reuteri probiotic on the preparation of the right colon was excellent in 18 patients (42.86%) and good in 17 patients (40.47%). The preparation of the right colon was significantly different between the placebo and probiotic groups (p = 0.007). Based on the results, there was a significant association between the consumption of L. reuteri and placebo in the preparation of the transverse colon (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Probiotic pretreatment as part of bowel preparation significantly improves visualization of the colonic mucosa during colonoscopy. © 2025 The Author(s). JGH Open published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.