Clinical applications of the use of probiotics in pediatrics

Abstract

The use of probiotics supposes a novel advance in the field of Pediatrics since they can be useful in the prevention and treatment of many gastrointestinal pathologies, constituting one more element in our therapeutic arsenal. This article presents an updated review of the scientific literature on the use of probiotics in paediatrics, mainly in gastrointestinal problems with alteration in the intestinal microbiota describing the main applications of the use of probiotics and prebiotics in childhood and reviewing the future lines of research. Although there enough scientific evidence in various pathologies, the use of probiotics is not entirely incorporated into the clinical practice of pediatricians. It is used in the context of the gastrointestinal diseases (acute infectious diarrhea, diarrhea associated with antibiotics, bacterial overcast) and, more recently, in chronic inflammatory processes such as inflammatory bowel disease or functional disorders as colic infant or constipation. Also have been assessed their beneficial effect in extraintestinal alterations, such as the allergies (atopic dermatitis) or the effects on respiratory or urogenital mucosae and, in recent years, in the prevention of pathology of the preterm newborn and in the H. pylori infection. In addition there are several lines of research open in nutritional supplementation with probiotics. and prebiotics. Each strain probiotics should be studied individually and extensively to determine its efficacy and safety in all situations in which their employment may be advisable.