Comparing the Efficacy of Anti-Secretory and Oral Immunoglobulins in Reducing the Duration of Diarrhea Episodes in Children; A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of anti-secretory and oral immunoglobulins in reducing the episodes of diarrhea in children.

Methodology: This randomized controlled trial, carried out at The children Hospital, Islamabad. Eighty-four children aged 6 to 36 months with acute diarrhea were included. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A patients received anti-secretory (racecadotril) and oral rehydration and zinc, while Group B was given egg solids and bovine colostrum in powdered form, ingested with water, alongside oral rehydration and zinc. Treatment efficacy was measured by time to fewer than 3 semi-solid stools within 24 hours. Outcomes were observed over 72 hours. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 26.0.

Results: The study involved 84 children (39 males, 45 females) aged 6 to 36 months, treated for acute diarrhea with Group A (anti-secretory, racecadotril) or Group B (Bovine colostrum). Baseline characteristics including age, gender, and duration of symptoms showed no significant differences between the groups (P=0.331 for gender, P=0.194 for age, P=0.187 for symptom duration). Treatment response varied significantly between the groups (P=0.000): In Group B, 18, 12, and 6 patients responded on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively, while in Group A, 5 patients responded on day 1 and 20 on day 2, with no 3-day responses. Out of 84 patients, 36 in Group B and 25 in Group A responded positively, and treatment was overall effective for 61 patients (p-value 0.001).

Conclusion: Both treatments were effective, with 85.7% efficacy in the Bovine colostrum group and 60% in the Racecadotril group after 3 days. The Bovine colostrum group demonstrated a significantly quicker treatment response compared to Racecadotril.