High doses of Antisecretory Factor stop diarrhea fast without recurrence for six weeks post treatment. (June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zaman, Shakila; Aamir, Khalida; Hanson, Lars Å.; Lange, Stefan
• Is Part Of: International journal of infectious diseases. Volume 71(2018)
• Page Start: 48
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2018-06
• Subjects: Paediatric diarrheal disease -- Antisecretory Factor -- Developing country -- Recovery time -- Follow up period; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable Diseases -- Periodicals; Communicable diseases; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2018.03.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1201-9712

Abstract

Highlights: Antisecretory Factor in the form of Salovum was given perorally as 2 sachets (Group A) and 4 sachets ((Group B) to children 6–24 months of age presenting with diarrhea. Eighty percent of the patients in Group B responded with a firm faecal consistency 30 min after the end of the Salovum treatment, while 30% of the patients in Group A (2 sachets) responded likewise, p = 0.004. The number of diarrheal stools decreased over this time from seven to one/two over 4 hours in the two groups (p = 0.234). None of the forty patients reported with any new episodes of diarrhea during the follow-up period. No adverse effects were noted. Abstract: Background: Diarrheal illnesses in young children cause morbidity and preventable deaths in developing countries. We evaluated two high doses of Salovum® [Antisecretory Factor] to treat diarrhea in young children and followed up for recurrence 6 weeks post treatment. Methods: Forty children, 6-24 months old, admitted with acute diarrhea, to the Outpatient Department of Children's Hospital in Lahore, Pakistan were selected. The patients were randomly allocated to either Group A given 2 sachets, or to Group B, given 4 sachets. Each sachet contained 4 gram of Salovum® and was mixed with Oral Rehydration Salt solution. This mixture was administered perorally within the first 30 min of treatment. The trained nursing staff observed them for number of stools and consistency over every half hour for a total of 4 hours. Follow up for 6 weeks was done daily by telephone, or visits by the mothers. The results demonstrate that Salovum provides a protective effect irrespective of the diarrhea causes. Results: Group B, given 4 sachets of Salovum® showed improved fecal consistency in 80% of the children compared to 50% in Group A within 30 minutes of treatment, p = 0.004. The number of diarrheal stools decreased over this time from seven to one/two over 4 hours in the two groups [p = 0.234]. None of the children showed a recurrence of diarrhea over the follow up period. Conclusion: Peroral high doses of Salovum® rapidly and safely counteract diarrhea in children followed by a diarrhea-free period of 6 weeks.