The probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in our intestines, and that administered in the appropriate amounts improve the general health of the organism. Its use, both in children and adults, is increasingly widespread, but what characteristics should they meet and how should they be taken?
We have consulted a recent report, published by the Spanish Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AEPap), on the use of probiotics in children. We tell you everything you need to know about it.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, taken in certain amounts, help to balance the population of bacteria in the intestine, and prevent the spread of disease-causing strains.
The fundamental characteristics that probiotics must meet are three:
They cannot be harmful to health, under (almost) no circumstance.
In order for the probiotic to influence metabolic processes or act as modulators of immune responses, they must adhere properly to the intestinal epithelium and colonize it.
Must exist clinical trials that certify its properties, although this criterion can be difficult to establish on many occasions.
The probiotics most used in clinical practice include yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Y bacteria of different genres (Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Pediococcus, Bifidobacterium, Propionibacterium, Bacillus, Escherichia).
In VitónicaThese bacteria are beneficial for your body (and we tell you where you can find them)When is its use indicated?
As we can see in the AEPap report, there are certain situations in which there is evidence of clinical trials that demonstrate the efficacy of a certain probiotic. These situations would be the following:
Acute diarrhea caused by a virus
Various scientific societies such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The European Society of Pediatric Gastroentorology (ESPGHAN) or the European Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID), recommend the use of probiotics such as complementary treatment to oral rehydration, as it has been shown that certain strains can help reduce the intensity and duration of symptoms.
The probiotics recommended in this situation would be the Saccharomyces boulardii, he Lactobacillus GG and the Lactobacillus reuteri.
Diarrhea associated with antibiotics
He preventive use of probiotics During the administration of antibiotics it would help reduce the risk of diarrhea by 52%, according to an analysis conducted by ESPGHAN in 2016. Therefore, AAP pediatricians also recommend its use.
The probiotics that have been proven effective in this situation would be the Saccharomyces boulardii and the Lactobacillus GG.
The pediatrician will recommend us the best probiotic to take and how we should administer it to our children, although it is important to emphasize that treatment should be started before signs of diarrhea appear, because in that case it would be useless.
Necrotizing Enterocolitos
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a disease that can be fatal in premature infants, so trials and meta-analyzes have been conducted focused on prevent its incidence by using probiotics.
In this sense, the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group recommends a systematic use of probiotics in premature infants, except in those of very low weight for gestational age (less than one kilo) due to the lack of specific data in this risk group.
However, the NENeo Neonatal Nutrition and Metabolism Group considers that the use of probiotics should also be considered in premature infants below 32 weeks or 1,500 grams, including those under one kilo, although this case should undergo close monitoring.
Infant colic
The data of the tests carried out have been analyzed, and the probiotic based on Lactobacillus reuteri It helps reduce episodes of crying, regurgitation and number of stools per day of the baby.
However, we must bear in mind that there are several factors that can modify the baby's microbiota: type of birth, way of feeding, family history of allergy ... Hence there is a wide debate about the real effectiveness of this treatment in all cases of infant colic.
In Babies and more Probiotics may help reduce infant colic in breastfed infants Atopic diseases
As explained by the AEPap, the most recent meta-analyzes seem to coincide in that the use of probiotics during pregnancy and later in the baby They have no effect on the development of atopic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivis and food allergy.
However, there seems to be a reduction in the risk of the baby developing eczema. However, experts insist on the little evidence of quality that exists to recommend their use routinely.
Oral tolerance when there is APLV
For infants with APLV, both IgE-mediated and non-IgE-mediated, there are few studies done in this regard on the benefits of probiotics when it comes to achieving oral tolerance to this food before.
In 2012, the evolution of 55 infants diagnosed with APLV was compared to those divided into two groups: 28 of them received a hydrolyzed formula, and the other 27 the same formula but supplemented with Lactobacillus GG. At one year, the percentage of children who had reached oral tolerance was significantly higher among those who had received probiotics.
However, it is very important to keep in mind that some probiotics contain traces of cow's milk protein, so it is essential to always consult with the doctor before offering them to the child.
How are probiotics given?
There are currently numerous products marketed with probiotics in their composition:
- Food products
There are some foods enriched with probiotics, although one of the main and natural sources is yogurt, where we can find the Lactobacillus Y Bifidobacterium They are often used to ferment milk. Another option is to create your own kefir, since its benefits are also multiple.
In Babies and more Even in baby and organic yogurts, the sugar content is very high- Probiotics with a presentation similar to that of medications
As we said at the beginning, there are many types of probiotics and each strain has different characteristics and an action that is not always equivalent.
Therefore, pediatricians recommend that before acquiring a probiotic under this presentation, let's make sure it contains the right strain, both in number and in conditions of viability, and that does not present risks of contamination by other organisms or undesirable allergens, such as egg or cow's milk proteins, in the case of allergy sufferers.
What adverse effects do they have?
AEPap pediatricians say that the use of probiotics in healthy individuals is safe, although in recent years they have been applied to treat a wide range of pathologies, some of them related to factors involved in an increased risk to develop complications.
For all these reasons, it is essential to always consult your doctor, follow his instructions regarding administration, and read the product label correctly if there is a food allergy.Photos | Pixabay, iStock
