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The role of probiotics and prebiotics in the management of diarrhoea associated with enteral tube feeding
Author(s) -
Whelan K.,
Gibson G. R.,
Judd P. A.,
Taylor M. A.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-277x.2001.00322.x
Subject(s) - medicine , enteral administration , parenteral nutrition , incidence (geometry) , randomized controlled trial , diarrhea , prebiotic , placebo , feeding tube , probiotic , intensive care medicine , gastroenterology , surgery , food science , pathology , chemistry , physics , alternative medicine , biology , bacteria , optics , genetics
Diarrhoea is a common and serious complication of enteral tube feeding, and has a range of aetiologies. Manipulation of the colonic microflora may reduce the incidence of enteral tube feeding diarrhoea via suppression of enteropathogens and production of short‐chain fatty acids. Probiotics and prebiotics are commonly used during enteral tube feeding to manipulate the colonic microflora; however, their efficacy is as yet uncertain. Methods English‐language studies investigating the pathogenesis of enteral tube feeding diarrhoea and the use of probiotics and prebiotics were identified by searching the electronic databases CINAHL, EMBASE and MEDLINE from 1980 to 2001. The bibliographies of articles obtained were searched manually. Results Only two prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials have investigated the effect of a probiotic on enteral tube feeding diarrhoea; however, results are conflicting. No prospective, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies have specifically addressed the effect of a prebiotic on the incidence of enteral tube feeding diarrhoea. Conclusion Theoretically, probiotics and prebiotics may be of benefit in prophylaxis against enteral tube feeding diarrhoea; however, there is currently insufficient evidence to support their routine use. Prospective, randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled studies investigating their effect on diarrhoea are required. These observations are discussed with reference to the current literature.