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Probiotics in Children: What Is the Evidence?

Iva Hojsak1,2,3

  • 1Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.

Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
|October 14, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Certain probiotic strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii effectively treat acute gastroenteritis and prevent diarrhea. Pediatricians should recommend only proven probiotic strains for specific clinical uses.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Increasing research on probiotics makes it challenging for clinicians to stay updated.
  • Evidence-based recommendations are needed for specific pediatric clinical indications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the evidence for probiotic use in pediatric clinical indications.
  • To guide pediatricians in selecting appropriate probiotic strains.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on probiotic efficacy in pediatric populations.
  • Focus on well-defined clinical indications relevant to pediatric practice.

Main Results:

  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Saccharomyces boulardii show proven efficacy in treating acute gastroenteritis.
  • These strains are also effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
  • LGG demonstrates effectiveness in preventing nosocomial diarrhea and respiratory tract infections in daycare settings.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotic strain efficacy varies across different clinical indications.
  • Only probiotic strains with demonstrated efficacy and safety should be recommended for pediatric use.

Keywords:
BifidobacteriumDiarrheaInfectionLactobacillusSaccharomyces

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