Winter 2008

Probiotics—Are They Right for Your Child?

Studies show potential health benefits—physician guidance recommended

An interview with Christine Nguyen, M.D., pediatric gastroenterologist

More and more parents are considering probiotic foods and supplements for their children to prevent and treat certain health conditions. In fact, some companies in the U.S. are now conducting long-term studies on the safety of including probiotics in infant formulas—something that has been practiced in Europe for several years.

But are probiotics effective? Are they safe? And what, exactly, are probiotics anyway?

“Probiotics are microscopic living organisms—in most cases, bacteria or yeast,” says Christine Nguyen, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist at California Pacific Medical Center.

“Various probiotics in food or supplements may provide a health benefit when given in adequate amounts,” she adds. “There are a lot of anecdotal reports, but there is also fairly strong evidence that specific strains of probiotics can decrease the duration and severity of acute infectious diarrhea. They also can reduce the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Antibiotics can be medically necessary, but they can change our body’s bacterial profile and intestinal motility.”

Encouraging Research Results

Although some probiotic foods such as cultured milk products date back to ancient times, scientific understanding of probiotics and their potential for preventing and treating health conditions is still at an early stage. “Various ongoing studies are showing that probiotics may help decrease the incidence of asthma attacks and allergic reactions to foods,” Nguyen notes. “One probiotic, lactobacillus GG, may reduce the incidence of eczema flare-ups in toddlers. Probiotics also may help reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.”

Safety Considerations

While people presume probiotics are generally safe because they are similar to bacteria already present in the digestive system, more research is needed to determine their appropriate use and safety, especially for young children and people with compromised immune systems.

Photo of a bowl of a boy looking at a nutrition label

Various probiotics have been used safely in infants and children, but it’s important to make sure your child’s immune system is healthy,” Nguyen cautions. “Probiotics should not be used without medical supervision in children who have a permanent IV in place or a permanent medical device.”

Quality control is another concern. “Make sure the probiotic contains live organisms; good products should be able to guarantee a certain number of live organisms per dose,” Nguyen explains. “The strain of the bacteria or yeast is also important. Names of probiotics use a two-part naming system that can be confusing. Similarly named probiotics are not interchangeable. Find out if the one you’re considering has been shown to be effective for your child’s condition. Don’t rely on marketing claims or testimonials; ask for specific research studies in legitimate scientific journals. Also, be sure to use the right dose. Consult your pediatrician before giving your child any probiotics—or any other dietary supplement.”

Probiotic Condition

• lactobacillus GG
• saccharomyces boulardii Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
• lactobacillus GG Acute infectious diarrhea

• lactobacillus
• lactobacillus rhamnosus
• lactobacillus reuteri Allergic disorders

• lactobacillus strains
• bifidobacterium infantis Irritable bowel syndrome

• Blend of bifidobacterium/ lactobacillus/ streptococcus Inflammatory bowel disease