Effect of Green Banana (Musa paradisiaca) on Recovery in Children With Acute Watery Diarrhea With No Dehydration - A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Cooked green banana (Musa paradisiaca) has been observed to be useful in reducing the duration of diarrheal illness in children.

Objective: To evaluate whether supplementation of cooked green banana shortens the duration of diarrhea in children with acute watery diarrhea with no dehydration.

Study design: Open label randomized controlled trial.

Participants: Consecutive children aged 9 months to 5 years who presented with acute watery diarrhea within 48 hours of onset of illness with no dehydration.

Intervention: Children in the control group received standard care, while those in the intervention group received cooked green banana in addition to standard care under supervision in the hospital for 72 hours, and then continued at home until diarrhea stopped or 14th day of illness, whichever is earlier.

Outcome measures: Proportion of children who improved at 72 hours of intervention (passing formed stools with normal frequency) was considered as the primary outcome and the incidence of complications such as dehydration, persistent diarrhea and secondary lactose intolerance were evaluated as the secondary outcomes.

Results: The proportion of children who recovered within 72 hours was significantly higher (62.4%) in the green banana group compared to the control group (47.2%) [RR 1.3 (95% CI 1.05-1.8), NNT = 7].The number of children with complications such as dehydration and persistent diarrhea was also significantly less in the intervention group.

Conclusions: Supplementation of cooked green banana in the diet of children with acute watery diarrhea with no dehydration hastens their recovery.