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The role of probiotics and prebiotics in pediatric practice

Mauro Batista de Morais1, Cristina Miuki Abe Jacob

  • 1Departamento de Pediatria, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP-EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. mbmorais@osite.com.br

Jornal De Pediatria
|December 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics and prebiotics show potential in preventing childhood diarrhea and reducing atopic dermatitis. Further research is needed to confirm their efficacy and cost-benefit in pediatric practice.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Microbiome Research
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Growing body of research on probiotics and prebiotics in pediatrics.
  • Understanding of their mechanisms of action is expanding.
  • Focus on practical applications in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the effects of probiotics and prebiotics in clinical pediatric practice.
  • To assess their current evidence base for common pediatric conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE database.
  • Inclusion of reviews, clinical trials, and meta-analyses.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on practical application and author-reviewed articles.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics may help prevent and shorten acute and antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
  • Preliminary evidence suggests probiotics can reduce atopic dermatitis in early life.
  • Prebiotics in infant formula alter gut microbiota profiles.

Conclusions:

  • Further studies on probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are warranted.
  • Specific clinical effects of individual probiotics and prebiotics require detailed investigation.
  • Need for cost-benefit analyses to guide clinical recommendations.
Abstract

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