Objective: To determine whether oral administration of the probiotic Lactobaci llus GG under randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled conditions would improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children. Study design: Fi fty children fulfilling the Rome II criteria for IBS were given Lactobacillus GG or placebo for 6 weeks. Response to therapy was recorded and collected on a wee kly basis using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). Results: Lacto bacillus GG was not superior to placebo in relieving abdominal pain (40.0%respo nse rate in the placebo group vs 44.0%in the Lactobacillus GG group; P = .774). There was no difference in the other gastrointestinal symptoms, except for a lo wer incidence of perceived abdominal distention (P = .02 favoring Lactobacillus GG). Conclusions: Lactobacillus GG was not superior to placebo in the treatment of abdominal pain in children with IBS but may help relieve such symptoms as per ceived abdominal distention.
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