Functional Abdominal Pain of Children: Therapy with Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 and Insight into Its Probiotic Properties

Abstract

Background: Probiotics are effective in the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders in adults but there is lack of enough clinical evidence in children. Aim: To evaluate effectiveness of Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 along with digestive enzymes in the treatment of childhood functional abdominal pain (FAP). Methods: Children with FAP, based on the Rome IV criteria (n = 95, aged 5-16 years), received Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 along with digestive enzymes from a commercially available preparation - Tummysoft® for three weeks. Treatment response was assessed by improvement in the Quality of Life in Reflux and Dyspepsia Questionnaire (QOLRAD) score and Global Overall Symptom (GOS) scale. Results: Patients diagnosed with FAP upon receiving a 3-week treatment with Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 along with digestive enzymes, registered statistically significant improvement in both QOLRAD (Baseline, 30.27 ± 5.95; 10th Day: 108.39 ± 7.06; 21st day: 173.71 ± 6.71, P=0.00) and GOS scale (Baseline, 3.10 ± 0.37; 10th Day: 2.15 ± 0.73; 21st day: 1.00 ± 0.00, P = 0) signifying the efficacy of the probiotic in FAP. Conclusion: Bacillus Coagulans GBI-30, 6086 along with digestive enzymes from a commercially available preparation - Tummysoft® was found to be effective in the treatment of childhood functional abdominal pain (FAP).