Do probiotics improve symptoms in children with acute moderate-to-severe gastroenteritis?

BEEM Bottom Line

Why is this study important?

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a common pediatric presentation to the emergency department (ED). While the treatment is mostly supportive, there is growing interest in the use of probiotics. Recommendations are mixed because of the lack of robust evidence in altering the course of the disease or its symptoms.[1] [2] This is the first probiotic clinical trial of North American (NA) children with AGE that measures outcomes with a comprehensive and validated clinical score.[3]

Which, if any, threats to validity are most likely to have an impact on the results and how?

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