Assessment of role of probiotics on mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients- A clinical study

Abstract

Background: Probiotics are live microorganisms that bestow a health benefit when administered in adequate amounts. The present study was conducted to assess role of probiotics on mechanical ventilation in pediatric patients.

Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 64 pediatric patients which were divided into 2 groups. Group I were those patients who received one sachet of probiotic twice a day mixed with milk or 5 ml of 5 % dextrose solution. Group II patients were control did not receive probiotics. The duration of mechanical ventilation, ICU stay and hospital stay in both groups was studied and compared.

Results: There were 20 male and 12 female patients in group I and 18 males and 14 females in group II. Diagnosis found to be pneumonia in 10   in group I and 12 in group II, septic shock in 9 in group I and 6in group II, intracranial bleed in 4 in group I and 5 in group II, intracranial infection seen in 2 and 3 patients in both groups respectively, status epilepticus 3 in group I and 1 in group II and miscellaneous 4 in group I and 5 in group II. The mean duration of ICU stay in group I patients was 6.4 days and in group II was 12.3 days, duration of hospital stay in group I was 11.5 days and in group II was 19.4 days and mean duration of mechanical ventilation was 5.1 days in group I and 7.3 days in group II.