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Probiotics on Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.
Anna Pärtty1,2, Samuli Rautava3,4, Marko Kalliomäki5,6
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, 20521 Turku, Finland. aklein@utu.fi.
Probiotics show limited efficacy for childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 may help breastfed infants with colic, but more research is needed for other conditions.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Microbiome Research
- Probiotic Therapeutics
Background:
- Childhood functional gastrointestinal disturbances are linked to gut microbiota changes.
- Probiotics offer potential therapeutic and preventive strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on probiotic efficacy for pediatric functional abdominal pain disorders, functional constipation, and infantile colic.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of current scientific literature.
- Evaluation of studies on single probiotic strains, combinations, and synbiotics.
Main Results:
- No specific probiotic strain, combination, or synbiotic is currently recommended for pediatric irritable bowel syndrome, functional abdominal pain, or functional constipation.
- Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 shows potential for managing colic in breastfed infants.
- Limited data exists for other probiotic interventions in infantile colic.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support broad probiotic recommendations for most pediatric functional gastrointestinal disorders.
- Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 is a potential option for infantile colic in breastfed infants.
- Further research is required to establish the efficacy of various probiotics and synbiotics.
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