Management of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth by pediatric gastroenterologists in Spain.

Abstract

Background: small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) is a heterogeneous condition with nonspecific symptoms. This study aimed to report its management by pediatric gastroenterologists in Spain.

Methods: a descriptive study was performed by means of a survey sent to 184 active members of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (SEGHNP).

Results: one hundred and forty-eight responses (80.4 %) were received. Forty-four patients had no predisposing condition, 31.1 % used antibiotics followed by probiotics, 33.1 % antibiotherapy concomitant with probiotics, 24.3 % only antibiotics and 10.8 % only probiotics. The diagnosis was established via clinical parameters in 73.8 % of participants and the therapeutic response was checked only by clinical data in 90 %.

Conclusions: there is high variability in the management of SIBO among pediatric population in Spain.