Management of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth by pediatric gastroenterologists in Spain

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.

Automated summary

There is high variability in the management of SIBO among pediatric population in Spain, with a significant proportion of patients being diagnosed without predisposing conditions and treated with antibiotics and/or probiotics.