Using probiotics in the paediatric population

Insights

Probiotics, live microorganisms conferring health benefits, are increasingly studied for their role in modulating the intestinal microbiome. This review examines evidence for their use in pediatric conditions like diarrhea and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The intestinal microbiome plays a crucial role in human health.
  • Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts.
  • There is growing interest in the therapeutic and prophylactic applications of probiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the development and role of intestinal microflora.
  • To examine the evidence supporting the use of various probiotics.
  • To assess probiotic efficacy in common pediatric conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature on intestinal microflora development.
  • Analysis of studies on probiotic administration for pediatric health conditions.
  • Examination of evidence for probiotics in treating diarrhea, atopy, functional intestinal disorders, and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics alter host microflora to confer health benefits.
  • Evidence supports probiotic use in specific pediatric conditions.
  • Further research is ongoing to establish optimal probiotic applications.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics hold significant potential for pediatric health management.
  • Understanding intestinal microflora is key to probiotic efficacy.
  • Evidence-based application of probiotics can benefit children's health.

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...
299
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...
975
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...
68
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
413
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
414
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
558