Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Clinical Data in Children
Eleonora Giannetti1, Annamaria Staiano
1Department of Translational Medical Science, Section of Pediatrics, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
Insights
Probiotics show promise for treating pediatric irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Specific strains like Lactobacillus GG and VSL#3, along with a Bifidobacterium mixture, appear effective and safe for improving symptoms and quality of life in children.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in children requires tailored management, including pharmacologic, dietary, psychosocial, and complementary/alternative medicine approaches.
- Evidence for pharmacological therapies in pediatric IBS is limited; non-pharmacologic interventions like probiotics are gaining attention.
- The gut microbiota's role in brain-gut interactions and its influence on functional abdominal pain (AP)-FGIDs are increasingly recognized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize current evidence on the efficacy of probiotics for treating pediatric IBS.
- To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of specific probiotic strains and combinations in children with IBS.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies on non-pharmacologic treatments for pediatric IBS, including probiotics.
- Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating probiotics for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) in children and adolescents.
- Recent study evaluating a specific mixture of Bifidobacterium strains (infantis M-63®, breve M-16V®, longum BB536®) in children with IBS.
Main Results:
- Some evidence supports the beneficial effects of probiotics, including Lactobacillus GG (LGG) and VSL#3, for pediatric IBS symptoms.
- A meta-analysis indicated that Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938, and VSL#3 significantly increased treatment success in FGIDs.
- A recent study demonstrated that a Bifidobacterium mixture was safe and improved abdominal pain control and quality of life in children with IBS compared to placebo.
Conclusions:
- Probiotics are emerging as valuable therapeutic tools for pediatric IBS, potentially by modulating gut microbiota and influencing brain-gut pathways.
- Specific probiotic strains and combinations show promise in managing IBS symptoms and improving quality of life in children.
- Further research, including well-designed RCTs, is warranted to solidify the role of probiotics in pediatric IBS management.
Purpose Of Review:
The purpose of this review was to summarize the evidence regarding probiotics treatment for pediatric IBS.
Recent Findings:
The overall management of children with IBS should be tailored to the patient's specific symptoms and identifiable triggers. The four major therapeutic approaches include: pharmacologic, dietary, psychosocial, and complementary/alternative medicine interventions.Although there is limited evidence for efficacy of pharmacological therapies such as antispasmodics and anti-diarrheals, these may have a role in severe cases. A Cochrane review concluded that only weak evidence exists regarding beneficial effects of pharmacological agents in providing relief from symptoms in functional abdominal pain (AP) in children. Role of antibiotics in treatment of children with IBS remains controversial. Various non-pharmacologic treatments are available for pediatric IBS. In a recent systematic review including 24 studies some evidence was found indicating beneficial effects of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG), cognitive behavioral therapy, hypnotherapy, and probiotics (LGG and VSL#3).Few randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are available in children. A meta-analysis including 9 trials which tested different probiotics as a treatment for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (FGIDs) in children and adolescents concluded that Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and VSL#3 significantly increased treatment success. We recently showed that, in children with IBS, a mixture of Bifidobacterium infantis M-63®, breve M-16V® and longum BB536® is safe and is associated with better AP control and improved quality of life when compared to placebo.
Summary:
Probiotics are emerging as new therapeutic tools in FGIDs, due to the recognition of the importance of gut microbiota in influencing brain-gut interactions, and of the role played by intestinal infections in the genesis of AP-FGIDs. Preclinical data suggest that changes in the gut microbiota can affect brain signaling systems related to pain and associated emotional behavior. Therefore, probiotics could play a relevant role in the management of FGIDs, by affecting the gut microbiota or by altering brain function and pain perception centrally.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
01:17Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are: