OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effects of umbilical application for strengthening spleen and dispelling dampness decoction combined with spinal massage on intestinal mucosal barrier function

intestinal flora and pro-inflammatory factors in children with diarrhea（spleen deficiency and dampness syndrome）. METHODS: Totally 106 children with diarrhea（spleen deficiency and dampness syndrome） admitted into the Eighth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from Jan. 2019 to Jun. 2020 were extracted to be divided into the control group and the traditional Chinese medicine combined group via the random number table. Children in the control group received basic symptomatic treatments such as dietary adjustment

oral rehydration salts and spinal massage

while the traditional Chinese medicine combined group was given umbilical application for strengthening spleen and dispelling dampness decoction on the basis of the control group. Both groups were treated for 7 d. Clinical efficacy

traditional Chinese medicine symptom score

intestinal mucosal barrier function

changes of intestinal flora and pro-inflammatory factors before and after treatment were observed in two groups. RESULTS: After treatment

the traditional Chinese medicine symptom scores of two groups were lower than those before treatment

and the traditional Chinese medicine combined group was significantly lower than the control group

with statistically significant difference（P<0.05）. The total effective rate of traditional Chinese medicine combined group was 94.34%（50/53）

significantly higher than 81.13%（43/53） of the control group

the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）. After treatment

the levels of serum D-lactic acid and DAO in two groups were lower than those before treatment

the intestinal flora was significantly higher than those before treatment

and the levels of IL-6

IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly lower than those before treatment; the levels of serum D-lactic acid and DAO in traditional Chinese medicine combined group were significantly lower than those in control group

and the intestinal flora was significantly higher than those in control group

while the levels of IL-6

IL-8 and TNF-α were significantly lower than those in control group

with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of umbilical application for strengthening spleen and dispelling dampness decoction combined with spinal massage on intestinal mucosal barrier function

intestinal flora and pro-inflammatory factors in children with diarrhea is significant

which can effectively enhance the intestinal mucosal barrier function of children

regulate the balance of intestinal flora

inhibit the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors and promote the recovery of children.