Comparison of efficacies between live and killed probiotics in children with lactose malabsorption.

The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of live and killed probiotics to decrease the presence of hydrogen using the breath hydrogen test (BHT). This pretest-posttest control group design single blinded randomized study was performed in 5 government elementary schools in Tuminting subdistrict, Manado, Indonesia from March to May 2008. The study for inclusion as subjects consisted of healthy 10-12 year old children with heights and weights within normal limits using the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) criteria whose BHT was 220 parts per million (ppm), indicating lactose malabsorption. One hundred thirty children were screened, 86 met criteria, 43 children were randomized into two groups. Thirty-nine children who were given live probiotic and 40 children who were given killed probiotic completed the study. There was a significant difference when comparing the BHT results before and 120 minutes after giving probiotic for the children taking both the live and the killed probiotic (p < 0.001). When the children taking the live and killed probiotics were compared, there was no difference in the BHT at 120 minutes of probiotic (p = 0.453) by t-test. The administration of live or killed probiotic for 2 weeks can decrease the results of a BHT in children with lactose malabsorption. No adverse reactions attributable to treatment were noted.