Effectiveness of Saccharomyces Boulardii in Prevention of Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea

Effectiveness of Saccharomyces Boulardii in the Prevention of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea Among Children Receiving Co-amoxiclav for Upper Respiratory Tract Infection: A Randomized Control Trial

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common adverse effect in pediatric patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics such as co-amoxiclav for upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea among children aged 6 months to 5 years receiving co-amoxiclav. Participants will be randomly allocated to receive either standard co-amoxiclav therapy alone or co-amoxiclav combined with Saccharomyces boulardii for 5 days. The primary objective is to evaluate whether the addition of Saccharomyces boulardii reduces the incidence of diarrhea during and up to 14 days following antibiotic therapy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 6 months to 5 years presenting with upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
• Prescribed standard oral co-amoxiclav therapy
• Both male and female patients
• Written informed consent provided by parents or legal guardians

Exclusion Criteria:

• Presence of diarrhea at the time of study enrollment
• Prior use of probiotics during the current course of illness
• Receipt of any antibiotic other than co-amoxiclav within the 72 hours preceding enrollment
• Concomitant use of other medications
• Known allergy to co-amoxiclav or the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii
• Confirmed immunodeficiency disorder or current receipt of immunosuppressive therapy
• History of chronic diarrhea
• Presence of 3rd degree (severe) malnutrition
• Presence of systemic symptoms or infections other than URTI (e.g., lower respiratory tract infection, jaundice)