Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Probiotics in paediatric gastrointestinal diseases

Daniel A Lemberg1, Chee Yee Ooi, Andrew S Day

  • 1School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|May 11, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics are generally safe but scientific evidence for many benefits is limited. This review focuses on proven uses in children, specifically for acute diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Probiotics are increasingly popular for purported health benefits.
  • Scientific evidence supporting many claimed probiotic uses is often insufficient.
  • Probiotics are generally well-tolerated and safe.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the scientific evidence for probiotics in various gastrointestinal disorders.
  • To specifically evaluate the role of probiotics in managing acute diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on probiotic efficacy.
  • Focus on pediatric gastrointestinal conditions.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics have well-established roles in treating acute diarrhoeal illness in children.
  • Probiotics are also effective for antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in pediatric populations.
  • Evidence for other gastrointestinal disorders remains less robust.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics are beneficial for specific pediatric gastrointestinal issues like acute and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
  • Further research is needed to substantiate claims for other uses.
  • The safety profile of probiotics is favorable.

More Related Videos

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods08:38

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods

Published on: September 10, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Stomach and Small Intestine

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is characterized by distinct physicochemical conditions that shape its microbial communities. Among these, the stomach presents a particularly challenging environment for microbial colonization due to its highly acidic pH, ranging from 1 to 3. This extreme acidity effectively limits microbial density. However, certain acid-tolerant microorganisms are capable of surviving in this niche. Notably, Helicobacter pylori can colonize the gastric mucosa,...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

Functions of the Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...