Pediatria pre prax 3/2010

Probiotics in pediatric practice

Probiotics are live microorganisms which – applied in appropriate amount – positively influence health status of the recipient. Main mechanism of their effect is the influence on intestinal mucosal barrier and host immune response. It is necessary to consider effect of specific probiotic strain in a specific clinical situation by Evidence-based medicine. From this point of view, positive effect has been shown in Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus reuteri, Enterococcus faecium or Saccharomyces boulardii. Positive effect of probiotics is proven in patients with necrotising enterocolitis, infectious and post-antibiotic diarrhoea, in the prevention of atopic eczema and in maintainance of remission in idiopathic proctocolitis and chronic pauchitis.

Keywords: probiotics, bifidobacteria, lactobacilli, clostridia, randomised controlled trials.