Lactose-free Milk in Infants With Acute Diarrhea in a Developing Country

Does Intake of Lactose-free Milk in Infants With Acute Gastroenteritis in a Developing Country Shorten the Duration of Diarrhea? A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether lactose-free milk will shorten the diarrhea duration and decrease its severity in formula-fed infants presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) or pediatric clinics with acute diarrhea.

Acute gastroenteritis is a major cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality accounting for 15 % of all childhood death worldwide, and is a major public health burden, especially in developing countries. A recent Cochrane review of 33 randomized or quasi-randomized trials reported a modest reduction in the duration of diarrhea in children younger than 5 years who were on reduced or lactose-free diet. Those trials however were conducted on inpatients in high or middle-income countries. None were from developing countries where diarrheal diseases are severer and result in higher morbidities and mortalities. This study aims at investigating the effect of lactose-free milk on the duration and severity of diarrhea in infants from a developing country, who present with acute gastroenteritis to the Emergency Department (ED) or pediatric clinics. The findings from this study will help provide evidence-based dietary recommendations for infants with acute diarrhea in developing countries who are treated in the ambulatory setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Infants on artificial milk formula
• Presenting to the ED or pediatric clinics of the American University of Beirut Medical Center
• Chief complaint: acute gastroenteritis (three or more loose or liquid stools in 24 hours, for at least 24 hours, and not exceeding 2 weeks from presentation, with or without fever, vomiting, mucus or blood per stools).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusively or partially breast-fed infants
• Severe dehydration requiring hospitalization