Preventive effects of oral probiotic on infantile colic: a prospective, randomised, blinded, controlled trial using Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938

Perceived Infant Discomfort Linked to Lower Maternal Oral Health Quality of Life: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: We aimed to explore whether there is an association between maternal perceived infant discomfort due to suggestive gastrointestinal alterations and oral-health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) through a survey. Materials and Methods: The present study included two main phases involving Portuguese-speaking parents with full-term infants aged 2-12 weeks old who were not previously hospitalized in a neonatal nursery. First, the original French Infant Colic Questionnaire (ColiQ) was translated, cross-culturally adapted and validated to Portuguese (ColiQ-PT). Then, a survey was distributed, and included sociodemographics, the ColiQ-PT, an oral health value scale, OHRQoL, self-perceived periodontal status, and smoking and oral health habits. Data were analyzed through inferential, correlation and multivariate logistic models in this cross-sectional study. Results: The ColiQ-PT revealed reliability and validity. From a total of 421 responses, higher infant discomfort was correlated with less maternal professional dental care prioritization (ρ = -0.096, p < 0.05). Self-perceived periodontitis correlated with all items of OHRQoL (p < 0.001), all seven OHIP-14 domains, and with the physical (p < 0.001), psychological (p = 0.006), and social (p = 0.011) super-domains. While the infant-related score was associated with baby age (p = 0.023) and physical pain (p = 0.040) related to OHRQoL, the parent score was associated with education (p = 0.005), unemployment (p = 0.035), and physical pain (p = 0.017). The total ColiQ-PT score was significantly associated with more deteriorated social disability related to maternal OHRQoL (ρ = -0.130, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Perceived infant discomfort seems to be linked to maternal deteriorated OHRQoL. This finding highlights the importance of prioritizing oral health in postpartum care. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying this association and to develop targeted interventions.

Osteopathic Manual Therapy for Infant Colic: A Randomised Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Infant colic is a multifactorial syndrome for which various therapeutic strategies have been proposed. In this study, we evaluate the effectiveness of osteopathic manual therapy in treating symptoms related to infant colic.

METHOD

A prospective, randomised, blinded clinical trial was conducted of patients diagnosed with infant colic. The treatment group were given osteopathic manual therapy, and their parents received two sessions of counselling. The control group received no such therapy, but their parents attended the same counselling sessions. The non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was applied to determine whether there were significant differences between the groups for the numerical variables considered. For the qualitative variables, Fisher's exact test was used. The threshold assumed for statistical significance was 0.05.

RESULTS

A total of 42 babies were assigned to each group. Those in the experimental group presented less severe infant colic with a trend towards statistical significance after the first session (p = 0.09). In sucking, excretion, eructation and gas there were no significant differences between the groups. Crying was a statistically significant dimension both after the first intervention (p = 0.03) and two weeks after (p = 0.04). Regurgitation values were significantly lower in the experimental group during the three weeks of follow-up (p = 0.05). Values for sleep were lower in the experimental group, but the differences were not statistically significant. In both groups, colic severity decreased over time, with no side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with osteopathic manual therapy alleviates the symptoms of infant colic and could be recommended for this purpose from the onset of the condition.

Lactobacillus reuteri in digestive system diseases: focus on clinical trials and mechanisms

Objectives

Digestive system diseases have evolved into a growing global burden without sufficient therapeutic measures. Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) is considered as a new potential economical therapy for its probiotic effects in the gastrointestinal system. We have provided an overview of the researches supporting various L. reuteri strains' application in treating common digestive system diseases, including infantile colic, diarrhea, constipation, functional abdominal pain, Helicobacter pylori infection, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, colorectal cancer and liver diseases.

Methods

The summarized literature in this review was derived from databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

Results

The therapeutic effects of L. reuteri in digestive system diseases may depend on various direct and indirect mechanisms, including metabolite production as well as modulation of the intestinal microbiome, preservation of the gut barrier function, and regulation of the host immune system. These actions are largely strain-specific and depend on the activation or inhibition of various certain signal pathways. It is well evidenced that L. reuteri can be effective both as a prophylactic measure and as a preferred therapy for infantile colic, and it can also be recommended as an adjuvant strategy to diarrhea, constipation, Helicobacter pylori infection in therapeutic settings. While preclinical studies have shown the probiotic potential of L. reuteri in the management of functional abdominal pain, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, colorectal cancer and liver diseases, its application in these disease settings still needs further study.

Conclusion

This review focuses on the probiotic effects of L. reuteri on gut homeostasis via certain signaling pathways, and emphasizes the importance of these probiotics as a prospective treatment against several digestive system diseases.

Infant Vitamin D Supplements, Fecal Microbiota and Their Metabolites at 3 Months of Age in the CHILD Study Cohort

Infant vitamin D liquid formulations often contain non-medicinal excipients such as glycerin (ie. glycerol) and 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD). We examined whether infant vitamin D supplementation is associated with fecal glycerol and 1,2-PD concentrations at 3 months of age and characterized associations between these two molecules, and gut microbiota and their metabolites. Fecal metabolites and microbiota were quantified using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and 16S rRNA sequencing, respectively, in 575 infants from the CHILD Study at 3 months of age. Vitamin D supplement use was determined using questionnaires. Vitamin D supplementation was associated with greater odds of high 1,2-PD (adjusted OR 1.65 95% CI: 1.06, 2.53) and with decreased odds of high fecal glycerol (adjusted OR: 0.62 95% CI: 0.42, 0.90) after adjustment for breastfeeding and other covariates. Our findings were confirmed in linear regression models; vitamin D supplementation was positively associated with fecal 1,2-PD and inversely associated with glycerol (aβ: 0.37, 95% CI 0.03, 0.71 & aβ: -0.23 95% CI -0.44, -0.03, respectively). Fecal 1,2-PD and glycerol concentrations were negatively correlated with each other. Positive correlations between fecal 1,2-PD, Bifidobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and acetate levels were observed. Our research demonstrates that infant vitamin D supplement administration may differentially and independently influence infant gut microbiota metabolites.

Infant feeding practice and gastrointestinal tolerance: a real-world, multi-country, cross-sectional observational study

BACKGROUND

Signs of feeding intolerance, such as gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, are frequently observed in otherwise healthy formula-fed infants in the first months of life. The primary objective of this observational study was to examine GI tolerance in formula-fed infants (FFI) vs. breastfed infants (BFI) in a real-world setting with a secondary objective being the comparison of infants fed formula with pre- and/or probiotics (FFI_PP) and those fed formula without any pre- and/or probiotics (FFI_noPP) as well as BFI.

METHODS

A six-country, cross-sectional study in full-term exclusively/predominantly FFI (n = 2036) and BFI (n = 760) aged 6-16 weeks was conducted using the validated Infant Gastrointestinal Symptom Questionnaire (IGSQ) and a Feeding Practice and Gut Comfort Questionnaire.

RESULTS

The IGSQ composite score in FFI was non-inferior compared to BFI (mean difference [95%CI]: 0.17 [-0.34, 0.67]; non-inferiority p-value < 0.0001) and scores for BFI and FFI were below the threshold of 23, indicating no GI discomfort. Adjusted mean IGSQ scores ± SE were similar in FFI_PP (22.1 ± 0.2) and BFI (22.3 ± 0.3) while FFI_noPP (23.4 ± 0.3) was significantly higher and above 23 indicating some GI discomfort (mean differences [95%CI] FFI_noPP minus FFI_PP and FFI_noPP minus BFI were 1.28 [0.57, 1.98] and 1.09 [0.38, 1.80], respectively; both p < 0.01). Hard stools and difficulty in passing stool were more common in FFI compared to BFI (p < 0.01) but were less common in FFI_PP compared to FFI_noPP (p < 0.01). FFI_PP showed significantly less crying than FFI_noPP and was similar to BFI. Significantly fewer physician-confirmed colic episodes (Rome IV criteria) were reported in FFI_PP compared with FFI_noPP or BFI.

CONCLUSIONS

In this real-world observational study, FFI had non-inferior overall GI tolerance compared to BFI. Within FFI, infants receiving formulas with pre- and/or probiotics had a better GI tolerance, improved stooling and less infantile colic compared to those receiving formula without any pre- and/or probiotics and were more similar to BFI.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03703583, 12/10/2018 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03703583 ).

Treatment of infant colic with craniosacral therapy. A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the number of craniosacral therapy sessions that can be helpful to obtain a resolution of the symptoms of infantile colic and to observe if there are any differences in the evolution obtained by the groups that received a different number of Craniosacral Therapy sessions at 24 days of treatment, compared with the control group which did not received any treatment.

METHODS

Fifty-eight infants with colic were randomized into two groups of which 29 babies in the control group received no treatment and those in the experimental group received 1-3 sessions of craniosacral therapy (CST) until symptoms were resolved. Evaluations were performed until day 24 of the study. In this study crying hours served as primary outcome. The secondary outcome were the hours of sleep and the severity, measured by an Infantile Colic Severity Questionnaire (ICSQ).

RESULTS

Significant statistical differences were observed in favor of experimental group compared to the control group on day 24 in crying hours (mean difference = 2.94, at 95 %CI = 2.30-3.58; p < 0.001) primary outcome, and also in hours of sleep (mean difference = 2.80; at 95 %CI = - 3.85 to - 1.73; p < 0.001) and colic severity (mean difference = 17.24; at 95 %CI = 14.42-20.05; p < 0.001) secondary outcomes. Also, the differences between the groups ≤ 2 CST sessions (n = 19), 3 CST sessions (n = 10) and control (n = 25) were statistically significant on day 24 of the treatment for crying, sleep and colic severity outcomes (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Babies with infantile colic may obtain a complete resolution of symptoms on day 24 by receiving 2 or 3 CST sessions compared to the control group, which did not receive any treatment.

Probiotics and gastrointestinal diseases

During the past decades, scientists have discovered the intimate role of the gut microbiome in human health, and since then, several papers have been published to investigate if the use of biotics (probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics) may have a beneficial impact on human health both in treatment and prevention. We now ask ourselves whether we have reached the finish line or just a new starting point, as the evidence supporting the use of biotics in several conditions still needs a lot of work. Many questions remain unanswered today because the evidence differs depending on the indication, used strain, and amount and duration of administration. Herein we will summarize the evidence on probiotics in some gastrointestinal diseases such as infantile colic, functional abdominal pain disorders, celiac disease, acute gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Using probiotics in paediatric populations

This statement defines probiotics and reviews the most recent literature on their use in paediatrics. Many studies have examined the potential benefit of probiotics, but significant variation in the strains and doses of probiotics used, the patient populations studied, and in study design, have led to heterogeneous results. Present evidence suggests that probiotics can decrease mortality and lower incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm and low birth weight neonates. Probiotics may also be beneficial in reducing feeding intolerance. In infants, probiotics may be considered to reduce symptoms of colic. In older children, probiotics can be considered to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile -associated diarrhea. Probiotic supplements used in conjunction with standard therapy can help with Helicobacter pylori eradication and decrease the side effects of treatment. Lactobacillus species can be considered to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics can also be considered to help prevent atopic dermatitis and eczema. To optimize paediatric policy and practice, large, quality studies are needed to determine what types and combinations of probiotics are most efficacious.

L’utilisation des probiotiques dans la population pédiatrique

Le présent document de principes définit les probiotiques et fournit une analyse des publications scientifiques les plus récentes sur leur utilisation en pédiatrie. De nombreuses études ont évalué les avantages potentiels des probiotiques, mais en raison des variations importantes dans les souches et les doses utilisées, des populations de patients étudiées et des méthodologies privilégiées, les résultats sont hétérogènes. Selon les données probantes à jour, les probiotiques peuvent réduire le taux de mortalité et l’incidence d’entérocolite nécrosante chez les nouveau-nés prématurés et de petit poids à la naissance. Ils peuvent également être bénéfiques pour réduire l’intolérance alimentaire. Chez les nourrissons, on peut envisager de les utiliser pour limiter les symptômes de coliques, et chez les enfants plus âgés, pour prévenir la diarrhée associée aux antibiotiques ou au Clostridium difficile . Les suppléments de probiotiques utilisés conjointement avec un traitement standard peuvent contribuer à éradiquer l’Helicobacter pylori et à atténuer les effets secondaires du traitement. On peut envisager d’utiliser des espèces de Lactobacillus pour traiter le syndrome du côlon irritable ou de recourir à des probiotiques pour contribuer à prévenir la dermatite atopique et l’eczéma. Afin d’optimiser les politiques et les pratiques en pédiatrie, de vastes études de qualité devront être réalisées pour déterminer les types et les combinaisons de probiotiques les plus efficaces.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Promotes Intestinal Vitamin D Absorption by Upregulating Vitamin D Transporters in Senile Osteoporosis

Intestinal absorption of vitamin D is an important way to improve the vitamin D level in senile osteoporosis (SOP). There is a link between oral probiotics and vitamin D, but the mechanism is still unclear. We aimed to evaluate whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG culture supernatant (LCS) can affect cholecalciferol absorption, transport, and hydroxylation in SOP, and explore underlying mechanisms. In the study, specific-pathogen-free SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into an experimental group administered undiluted LCS and a control group administered normal drinking water. Furthermore, levels of cholecalciferol absorption were compared between Caco-2 cells cultured with varying concentrations of cholecalciferol and stimulated with LCS or de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) broth (control). Similarly, LCS-stimulated HepG2 cells were compared with MRS-stimulated HepG2 cells. Finally, protein levels of VD transporters in small intestine tissues and Caco-2 cells, as well as vitamin D-binding protein and 25-hydroxylase in liver tissues and HepG2 cells, were detected by western blot. The results showed that plasma concentrations of cholecalciferol and 25OHD₃ were higher in mice of the LCS group compared with the control group, and these values were positively correlated. With the addition of LCS, cholecalciferol uptake was increased with 0.5 μM or 10 μM cholecalciferol in the medium. Protein levels of CD36 and NPC1L1 were higher in the LCS group compared with the control group, while SR-BI protein was decreased, both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, LCS can promotes intestinal absorption cholecalciferol by affecting protein levels of VD transporters and improves 25OHD₃ levels in SOP.

Alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota affect absorption of cholecalciferol in severe osteoporosis

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the relationship between the gut microbial composition and intestinal cholecalciferol absorption in patients with severe osteoporosis (SOP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen patients with primary osteoporosis (OP) and 18 with SOP were included. Their clinical data were collected and their circulating concentrations of cholecalciferol and 25(OH)D₃ were measured. Fecal samples were collected and their microbial contents were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.

RESULTS

The age, sex, body mass index, and body mass of the participants did not differ between the groups. The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in the participants with SOP was significantly higher than that in the participants with OP. There were significant differences in the 25(OH)D₃ and cholecalciferol concentrations between participants with SOP or OP and there was a significant positive correlation between the concentrations of these substance. The diversity of the gut microbiota in participants with SOP was significantly higher than that in participants with OP. Firmicutes was more abundant in the SOP group and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes in participants with SOP was higher. Conversely, Bifidobacterium was significantly less abundant, as were the order and family it belongs to. At the species level, Bifidobacterium was the most significant difference between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Differences in the intestinal microecology, especially Bifidobacterium, are associated with differences in the absorption of cholecalciferol and in the circulating 25(OH)D₃ concentration, which may influence the progression of OP to SOP.

Use of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in paediatric gastrointestinal disorders: an updated review

Strains of lactobacilli are the most widely used probiotics and can be found in a large variety of food products and food supplements throughout the world. In this study, the evidence on Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 (LR DSM 17938) has been reviewed. This species secretes reuterin and other substances singularly or in microvesicles, inhibiting pathogen growth and interacting with the intestinal microbiota and mucosa, restoring homeostasis. The use of LR DSM 17938 has been exploited in several pathological conditions. Preclinical research has shown that this probiotic can ameliorate dysbiosis and, by interacting with intestinal mucosal cells, can raise the pain threshold and promote gastrointestinal motility. These aspects are amongst the significant components in functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as colic and regurgitation in infants, functional abdominal pain and functional constipation in children and adolescents. This strain can decrease the duration of acute diarrhoea and hospitalization for acute gastroenteritis but does not seem to prevent nosocomial diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. Because of its ability to survive in the gastric environment, it has been tested in Helicobacter pylori infection, showing a significant decrease of antibiotic-associated side effects and a tendency to increase the eradication rate. Finally, all these studies have shown the excellent safety of LR DSM 17938 even at higher dosages. In conclusion data from various clinical trials here reviewed can guide the clinician to find the correct dose, frequency of administration, and therapy duration.

Probiotics and Vitamin D/Vitamin D Receptor Pathway Interaction: Potential Therapeutic Implications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic conditions of unknown etiology and immunomediated pathogenesis. In the last years, the comprehension of the complex mechanisms involved in the intestinal mucosal homeostasis, and the analysis of the alterations potentially leading to inflammatory pathologic states, has consistently increased. Specifically, the extraordinary impulse in the field of research of the intestinal microbiome has opened the door to the investigation of possible novel approaches to the diagnosis, management and therapeutic applications in IBD. In line with that, administration of probiotic bacteria has been intensely evaluated, leading to much more exciting results in experimental models than in clinical practice. Considering the consistent heterogeneity of the available studies on probiotics, the increased knowledge of the properties of the single bacterial species would ideally lead to unravel potential mechanisms of action that may bring therapeutic applications in specific pathologic condition. Among the relevant molecular pathways for mucosal homeostasis maintenance, the vitamin D/vitamin D receptor (VDR) pathway has been intensely studied in the very last years. In fact, besides osteometabolic functions, the vitamin D exerts important homeostatic effects in the organism at multiple levels, such as immunomodulation, inflammation control, and microbiota regulation, which are likely to play a relevant role in intestinal mucosa protection. In the present review, recent findings about probiotic applications in IBD and mechanisms of action linking vitamin D/VDR pathway to IBD are reported. Available evidence for probiotic effect on vitamin D/VDR are reviewed and potential future application in IBD patients are discussed. At present, many aspects of IBD pathogenesis are still obscure, and current therapeutic options for IBD treatment are at best suboptimal. The increasing comprehension of the different pathways involved in IBD pathogenesis will lead to novel findings ideally leading to potential clinical applications. Microbiota manipulation and vitamin/VDR pathway appear a promising field for future research and therapeutic developments.

Probiotics in Pediatrics. A Review and Practical Guide

The potential benefit of the administration of probiotics in children has been studied in many settings globally. Probiotics products contain viable micro-organisms that confer a health benefit on the host. Beneficial effects of selected probiotic strains for the management or prevention of selected pediatric conditions have been demonstrated. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of current available evidence on the efficacy of specific probiotics in selected conditions to guide pediatricians in decision-making on the therapeutic or prophylactic use of probiotic strains in children. Evidence to support the use of certain probiotics in selected pediatric conditions is often available. In addition, the administration of probiotics is associated with a low risk of adverse events and is generally well tolerated. The best documented efficacy of certain probiotics is for treatment of infectious gastroenteritis, and prevention of antibiotic-associated, Clostridioides difficile-associated and nosocomial diarrhea. Unfortunately, due to study heterogeneity and in some cases high risk of bias in published studies, a broad consensus is lacking for specific probiotic strains, doses and treatment regimens for some pediatric indications. The current available evidence thus limits the systematic administration of probiotics. The most recent meta-analyses and reviews highlight the need for more well-designed, properly powered, strain-specific and dedicated-dose response studies.

Human Milk Microbiota and Oligosaccharides: A Glimpse into Benefits, Diversity, and Correlations

Human milk represents a cornerstone for growth and development of infants, with extensive array of benefits. In addition to exceptionally nutritive and bioactive components, human milk encompasses a complex community of signature bacteria that helps establish infant gut microbiota, contributes to maturation of infant immune system, and competitively interferes with pathogens. Among bioactive constituents of milk, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are particularly significant. These are non-digestible carbohydrates forming the third largest solid component in human milk. Valuable effects of HMOs include shaping intestinal microbiota, imparting antimicrobial effects, developing intestinal barrier, and modulating immune response. Moreover, recent investigations suggest correlations between HMOs and milk microbiota, with complex links possibly existing with environmental factors, genetics, geographical location, and other factors. In this review, and from a physiological and health implications perspective, milk benefits for newborns and mothers are highlighted. From a microbiological perspective, a focused insight into milk microbiota, including origins, diversity, benefits, and effect of maternal diet is presented. From a metabolic perspective, biochemical, physiological, and genetic significance of HMOs, and their probable relations to milk microbiota, are addressed. Ongoing research into mechanistic processes through which the rich biological assets of milk promote development, shaping of microbiota, and immunity is tackled.

Probiotics for the Management of Infantile Colic: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Colic is defined as periods of inconsolable crying, fussing, or irritability that have no apparent cause and present in healthy infants under 5 months of age. Although colic is a benign and self-limiting condition, it can be distressing to parents and there are few robust treatment interventions. This systematic review explored the evidence for administration of probiotics to prevent or decrease symptoms of colic.

METHODS

Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science.

SAMPLE

Twenty articles were included: 15 randomized controlled trials and 5 meta-analyses.

RESULTS

Based on the evidence in this systematic review, the oral administration of probiotics to breastfed infants with colic resulted in at least a 50% reduction in crying time compared with placebo. Efficacy of probiotics to reduce colic symptoms in formula-fed infants needs further study. In this review, we did not find evidence to support or refute efficacy of probiotics to prevent infantile colic. Clinical Implication: Probiotics (especially the strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938) can safely be recommended if parents desire a treatment option for their infants with colic.

The Health Effects of Vitamin D and Probiotic Co-Supplementation: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

Evidence of synergic health effects of co-supplementation with vitamin D and probiotics is emerging. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses PRISMA statement, scientific databases and the grey literature were searched, and a narrative review and risk of bias assessment were conducted. Seven randomized controlled trials were included, which had low risk of bias. Six studies were double-blind, and once single-blind, extended over 6–12 weeks, and included 50–105 participants. Conditions explored included schizophrenia, gestational diabetes, type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, osteopenia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and infantile colic. Supplementation frequency was daily or bi-monthly, with mainly vitamin D3, and Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus. Comparators were placebo, vitamin D, lower vitamin D dose, and probiotics and lower vitamin D dose. The co-supplementation yielded greater health benefits than its comparators did in all studies except in one assessing IBS. Beneficial effects included decreased disease severity, improved mental health, metabolic parameters, mainly insulin sensitivity, dyslipidemia, inflammation, and antioxidative capacity, and lower use of healthcare. Co-supplementation of vitamin D and probiotics generated greater health benefits than its comparators did. More studies in other diseases and various populations are needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the optimal form, composition, and frequency of this co-supplementation.

The influence of the gastrointestinal microbiome on infant colic

INTRODUCTION

Although infantile colic is relatively frequent, its pathophysiology is not yet understood. The aim of this paper is to provide a better understanding of the link between infantile colic and the gastrointestinal microbiome.

AREAS COVERED

The gastro-intestinal microbiome may already start to develop in the womb and grows exponentially immediately after birth. Factors influencing the microbiome can cause dysbiosis and precipitate symptoms of colic through several mechanisms such as increased gas production and low grade gut inflammation. Other possible factors are immaturity of the enterohepatic bile acid cycle and administration of antibiotics and other medications during the perinatal period. An effective treatment for all colicky infants has yet to be discovered, but the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri DSM17938 was shown to be effective in breastfed infants with colic. The scientific databases 'Pubmed' and 'Google scholar' were searched from inception until 02/2020. Relevant articles were selected based on the abstract.

EXPERT OPINION

Recent literature confirmed that the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome is associated with the development of infantile colic. It can be speculated that full sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to identify the microbiome down to the species level may provide answers to the etiology and management of infantile colic.

A systematic review of prevention and treatment of infantile colic

AIM

The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence for interventions for infantile colic.

METHODS

This was a systematic review based on a literature search in December 2017 for articles published during 2007-2017 about preventive and treatment interventions for infantile colic in infants. The review included original randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses with at least 20 infants in each study group that were assessed according to GRADE criteria.

RESULTS

The review found moderately strong evidence that administration of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 shortened the crying duration, with positive evidence from three out of four national contexts. There were four RCTs of acupuncture, all with no or minimal effect on crying duration. All studies reviewed with a follow-up until or beyond three months of age show a quite steep decline over time in crying duration in both treatment and control groups.

CONCLUSION

Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 is a promising treatment for infantile colic with moderately strong evidence in this review, but studies in more populations are needed. Acupuncture is not an effective treatment for infantile colic. Systematic support strategies to parents with infantile colic are important knowledge gaps.

Effectiveness of probiotics in infantile colic: A rapid review

Background

Infantile colic (IC) is a troubling condition with limited treatment options for young infants. This rapid review aims to synthesize the evidence for probiotics in the treatment and prevention of IC in healthy term infants.

Methods

We searched in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for systematic reviews (SRs), and randomized control trials (RCTs) published between January 1, 2000 and July 11, 2018. Trials were included if they recruited healthy full-term infants who received probiotics for treatment or prevention of colic. The quality of evidence was assessed using GRADE criteria. As supplementary information, the safety of probiotics in infants was searched within the reviewed studies and other recent publications.

Results

We identified four SRs and meta-analyses that included six RCTs, and found an additional three RCTs evaluating probiotics for the treatment of IC. One SR and six RCTs were identified for prevention of IC; four of the RCTs were included in the SR and two were published later. The probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri was used in the majority (five of eight) of treatment trials, and was found to significantly reduce crying in colicky breast-fed infants compared to placebo. Only two of the six prevention trials showed a significant decrease in crying time compared to placebo, although another two trials showed other benefits of probiotics, including reduced use of medications (simethicone and cimetropium bromide) and physician visits. No adverse events were identified in the included studies; other research suggests probiotics are generally safe in healthy children.

Conclusion

This rapid review identified limited but favourable evidence of benefit of using probiotics for the treatment of IC in full-term breast-fed infants. While routine use of probiotics for treating or preventing IC cannot yet be recommended, it can be an option to manage IC.

The good bugs: the use of probiotics in pediatrics

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is growing evidence encouraging the use of probiotics in many conditions in children. However, given the wide number of probiotics available and contradictory data in the literature, the health-care provider is often faced with uncertainness about whether or not to use probiotics and which one(s) to choose. We here review current hypotheses regarding the efficacy and safety of probiotics and evaluate the available data on the use of probiotics in most common diseases in children. Considering that probiotics have strain-specific effects, we will focus on individual probiotic strains rather than on probiotics in general.

RECENT FINDINGS

Strain-specific efficacy was clearly demonstrated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii I-745 in the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea, Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colics, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and VSL#3 in irritable bowel syndrome. In addition, encouraging results are seen for use of probiotics in necrotizing enterocolitis, food allergy, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the data available for constipation are to be considered somewhat equivocal.

SUMMARY

The clinical relevance of these findings indicates that healthcare providers need to take strain-specificity and disease specificity of probiotics into consideration when recommending probiotic for their patients.

Prophylactic use of probiotics for gastrointestinal disorders in children

The gastrointestinal microbiome is a hot topic in clinical research. Beneficial effects of selected probiotics in the prevention of gastrointestinal disorders are mainly restricted to acute gastroenteritis, antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, infantile colic, and necrotising enterocolitis. However, no broad consensus exists to recommend the use of probiotics in the prevention of these conditions, mainly because of the different design of the studies done so far, resulting in little evidence for specific strains, dosages, and indications. More well designed studies are needed before recommendations can be proposed. At this stage, the evidence is insufficient to recommend the routine use of probiotics in infants and children for the prevention of gastrointestinal disorders.

Probiotics to prevent infantile colic

BACKGROUND

Infantile colic is typically defined as full-force crying for at least three hours per day, on at least three days per week, for at least three weeks. Infantile colic affects a large number of infants and their families worldwide. Its symptoms are broad and general, and while not indicative of disease, may represent a serious underlying condition in a small percentage of infants who may need a medical assessment. Probiotics are live microorganisms that alter the microflora of the host and provide beneficial health effects. The most common probiotics used are of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus. There is growing evidence to suggest that intestinal flora in colicky infants differ from those in healthy infants, and it is suggested that probiotics can redress this balance and provide a healthier intestinal microbiota landscape. The low cost and easy availability of probiotics makes them a potential prophylactic solution to reduce the incidence and prevalence of infantile colic.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prophylactic probiotics in preventing or reducing severity of infantile colic.

SEARCH METHODS

In January 2018 we searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, 10 other databases and two trials registers. In addition, we handsearched the abstracts of relevant meetings, searched reference lists, ran citation searches of included studies, and contacted authors and experts in the field, including the manufacturers of probiotics, to identify unpublished trials.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised control trials (RCTs) of newborn infants less than one month of age without the diagnosis of infantile colic at recruitment. We included any probiotic, alone or in combination with a prebiotic (also known as synbiotics), versus no intervention, another intervention(s) or placebo, where the focus of the study was the effect of the intervention on infantile colic.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures of Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

Our search yielded 3284 records, and of these, we selected 21 reports for full-text review. Six studies with 1886 participants met our inclusion criteria, comparing probiotics with placebo. Two studies examined Lactobacillus reuteri DSM, two examined multi-strain probiotics, one examined Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and one examined Lactobacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium animalis. Two studies began probiotics during pregnancy and continued administering them to the baby after birth.We considered the risk of bias for randomisation as low for all six trials; for allocation concealment as low in two studies and unclear in four others. All studies were blinded, and at low risk of attrition and reporting bias.A random-effects meta-analysis of three studies (1148 participants) found no difference between the groups in relation to occurrence of new cases of colic: risk ratio (RR) 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 1.19; low-certainty evidence; I² = 72%.A random-effects meta-analysis of all six studies (1851 participants) found no difference between the groups in relation to serious adverse effects (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.14 to 7.21; low-certainty evidence; I² not calculable (only four serious events for one comparison, two in each group: meconium plug obstruction, patent ductus arteriosus and neonatal hepatitis).A random-effects meta-analysis of three studies (707 participants) found a mean difference (MD) of -32.57 minutes per day (95% CI -55.60 to -9.54; low-certainty evidence; I² = 93%) in crying time at study end in favour of probiotics.A subgroup analysis of the most studied agent, Lactobacillus reuteri, showed a reduction of 44.26 minutes in daily crying with a random-effects model (95% CI -66.6 to -21.9; I² = 92%), in favour of probiotics.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

There is no clear evidence that probiotics are more effective than placebo at preventing infantile colic; however, daily crying time appeared to reduce with probiotic use compared to placebo. There were no clear differences in adverse effects.We are limited in our ability to draw conclusions by the certainty of the evidence, which we assessed as being low across all three outcomes, meaning that we are not confident that these results would not change with the addition of further research.

The Gut Microbiome in Adult and Pediatric Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

The importance of gut microbiota in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology was well described, but our ability to study gut microbial ecosystems in their entirety was limited by culture-based methods prior to the sequencing revolution. The advent of high-throughput sequencing opened new avenues, allowing us to study gut microbial communities as an aggregate, independent of our ability to culture individual microbes. Early studies focused on association of changes in gut microbiota with different disease states, which was necessary to identify a potential role for microbes and generate novel hypotheses. Over the past few years the field has moved beyond associations to better understand the mechanistic implications of the microbiome in the pathophysiology of complex diseases. This movement also has resulted in a shift in our focus toward therapeutic strategies, which rely on better understanding the mediators of gut microbiota-host cross-talk. It is not surprising the gut microbiome has been implicated in the pathogenesis of functional gastrointestinal disorders given its role in modulating physiological processes such as immune development, GI motility and secretion, epithelial barrier integrity, and brain-gut communication. In this review, we focus on the current state of knowledge and future directions in microbiome research as it pertains to functional gastrointestinal disorders. We summarize the factors that help shape the gut microbiome in human beings. We discuss data from animal models and human studies to highlight existing paradigms regarding the mechanisms underlying microbiota-mediated alterations in physiological processes and their relevance in human interventions. While translation of microbiome science is still in its infancy, the outlook is optimistic and we are advancing in the right direction toward precise mechanism-based microbiota therapies.

Role of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (FloraActive™) 19070-2 and Lactobacillus reuteri (FloraActive™) 12246 in Infant Colic: A Randomized Dietary Study

Infant colic is a common condition of unknown pathogenesis that brings frustration to families seeking for effective management. Accumulating evidence suggests that some single strains of lactobacilli may play a positive dietary role in attenuation of colic in exclusively breastfed infants. The objective of this study was to evaluate a mixture of two Lactobacillus strains in decreasing infant cry and fuss in this population. Infants aged 4–12 weeks received L. rhamnosus 19070-2 and L. reuteri 12246 in a daily dose of 250 × 10⁶ CFU, 3.33 mg of fructooligosaccharide, and 200 IU of vitamin D₃ (84 infants, probiotic group) or just vitamin D₃ (84 infants, control group) for 28 days. Cry and fuss time were measured with validated Baby’s Day Diary on days 0 and 28. At baseline, mean (SD) duration of cry and fuss time was comparable in the probiotic and control groups: 305 (81) vs. 315 (90) min., respectively (p = 0.450). On day 28, mean cry and fuss time became statistically different: 142 (89) vs. 199 (72), respectively (p < 0.05). Mean change in cry and fuss time from day 0 through day 28 was −163 (99) minutes in the probiotic and −116 (94) minutes in the control group (p = 0.019). Our findings confirm that lactobacilli decrease cry and fuss time and provide a dietary support in exclusively breastfed infants with colic.

Infantile Colic: New Insights into an Old Problem

Infant colic is a characteristic group of behaviors seen in young infants. The most prominent feature is prolonged crying. Additional characteristics, including clenching of the fists and flexion of the hips, have led to the suggestion that these behaviors are related to abdominal discomfort. In this article, we show emerging evidence to support the concept that infant colic could represent gut inflammation and microbial dysbiosis that impacts brain function and even brain development.

Recent advances in understanding and managing infantile colic

A newborn brings joy to the family. Crying belongs to the spectrum of normal behaviour of young infants. However, although it occurs in about 20% of all infants, unsoothable and persistent crying in young infants distresses the family, although it is usually benign. The aetiology of infantile colic remains unknown, although an unbalanced gastro-intestinal microbiome, increased intestinal permeability, and chronic inflammation are involved, as well as behavioural factors, including over- and under-stimulation. It is a challenge for healthcare professionals to decide when organic disease needs to be excluded. Parental stress is a reason for babies to cry more, inducing a vicious cycle. Therefore, parental reassurance with explanatory guidance is the cornerstone of management. The placebo effect is estimated to be as high as 50%. If an intervention is felt to be necessary to offer further support to the baby and family, it is important to choose the options for which there is some efficacy without adverse effects. There is evidence that some specific probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 19378, especially in breastfed infants, are effective. However, there are also promising data for some synbiotics and/or killed or tyndallized bacteria, as well as substances decreasing intestinal permeability. Formula management with extensive and/or partial hydrolysates may also bring relief. But, above all, offering parental support remains imperative.

Role of Lactobacillus reuteri in Human Health and Diseases

Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) is a well-studied probiotic bacterium that can colonize a large number of mammals. In humans, L. reuteri is found in different body sites, including the gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, skin, and breast milk. The abundance of L. reuteri varies among different individuals. Several beneficial effects of L. reuteri have been noted. First, L. reuteri can produce antimicrobial molecules, such as organic acids, ethanol, and reuterin. Due to its antimicrobial activity, L. reuteri is able to inhibit the colonization of pathogenic microbes and remodel the commensal microbiota composition in the host. Second, L. reuteri can benefit the host immune system. For instance, some L. reuteri strains can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines while promoting regulatory T cell development and function. Third, bearing the ability to strengthen the intestinal barrier, the colonization of L. reuteri may decrease the microbial translocation from the gut lumen to the tissues. Microbial translocation across the intestinal epithelium has been hypothesized as an initiator of inflammation. Therefore, inflammatory diseases, including those located in the gut as well as in remote tissues, may be ameliorated by increasing the colonization of L. reuteri. Notably, the decrease in the abundance of L. reuteri in humans in the past decades is correlated with an increase in the incidences of inflammatory diseases over the same period of time. Direct supplementation or prebiotic modulation of L. reuteri may be an attractive preventive and/or therapeutic avenue against inflammatory diseases.

Use of infant formula in the ELFE study: The association with social and health-related factors

Breastfeeding is recommended until 6 months of age, but a wide range of infant formula is available for nonbreastfed or partially breastfed infants. Our aim was to describe infant formula selection and to examine social- and health-related factors associated with this selection. Analyses were based on 13,291 infants from the French national birth cohort Etude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance. Infant diet was assessed at Month 2 by phone interview and monthly from Months 3 to 10 via internet/paper questionnaires. Infant formulas were categorized in 6 groups: extensively or partially hydrolysed, regular with or without prebiotics/probiotics, and thickened with or without prebiotics/probiotics. Associations between type of infant formula used at 2 months and family or infant characteristics were assessed by multinomial logistic regressions. At Month 2, 58.1% of formula-fed infants were fed with formula enriched in prebiotics/probiotics, 31.5% with thickened formula, and 1.4% with extensively hydrolysed formula. The proportion of formula-fed infants increased regularly, but the type of infant formula used was fairly stable between 2 and 10 months. At Month 2, extensively hydrolysed formulas were more likely to be used in infants with diarrhoea or regurgitation problems. Partially hydrolysed formulas were more often used in families with high income, with a history of allergy, or with infants with regurgitation issues. Thickened formulas were used more with boys, preterm infants, infants with regurgitation issues, or in cases of early maternal return to work. The main factors related to the selection of infant formula were family and infant health-related ones.

The costs of functional gastrointestinal disorders and related signs and symptoms in infants: a systematic literature review and cost calculation for England

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the cost of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and related signs and symptoms in infants to the third party payer and to parents.

STUDY DESIGN

To estimate the cost of illness (COI) of infant FGIDs, a two-stage process was applied: a systematic literature review and a COI calculation. As no pertinent papers were found in the systematic literature review, a 'de novo' analysis was performed. For the latter, the potential costs for the third party payer (the National Health Service (NHS) in England) and for parents/carers for the treatment of FGIDs in infants were calculated, by using publicly available data. In constructing the calculation, estimates and assumptions (where necessary) were chosen to provide a lower bound (minimum) of the potential overall cost. In doing so, the interpretation of the calculation is that the true COI can be no lower than that estimated.

RESULTS

Our calculation estimated that the total costs of treating FGIDs in infants in England were at least £72.3 million per year in 2014/2015 of which £49.1 million was NHS expenditure on prescriptions, community care and hospital treatment. Parents incurred £23.2 million in costs through purchase of over the counter remedies.

CONCLUSIONS

The total cost presented here is likely to be a significant underestimate as only lower bound estimates were used where applicable, and for example, costs of alternative therapies, inpatient treatments or diagnostic tests, and time off work by parents could not be adequately estimated and were omitted from the calculation. The number and kind of prescribed products and products sold over the counter to treat FGIDs suggest that there are gaps between treatment guidelines, which emphasise parental reassurance and nutritional advice, and their implementation.

Infantile Colic: What to Know for the Primary Care Setting

Infantile colic is a self-limiting condition characterized by recurrent, prolonged periods of intense crying in an inconsolable infant. The etiology is unknown although many hypotheses have been proposed. Colic can be very frustrating for parents to deal with, thus it is important to provide reassurance and resources. Also, there are therapeutic interventions available that have shown some efficacy in reducing the symptoms of colic, but more evidence is needed to support their use.

Innovative Dietary Intervention Answers to Baby Colic

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of a lactose- reduced synbiotic partial whey hydrolysate in formula fed infants presenting with colic and the impact of this dietary intervention in mean crying time and quality of life.

METHODS

Forty infants with infantile colic were treated during one month with parental reassurance and the intervention formula (partial whey hydrolysate, reduced lactose, Bifidobacterium lactis BB12 and galacto-oligosaccharides) and were compared to a control group of 20 infants with infantile colic treated with parental reassurance and a standard infant formula. Parents completed a quality of life (QoL) questionnaire assessing the burden of infantile colic. Wilcoxon test, t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare QoL scores before and after intervention as well as between the intervention and control group.

RESULTS

At inclusion, duration of crying did not differ between both groups. Crying duration decreased with 2.7 hours (from 3.2 to 0.5 hours) in the intervention group while duration of crying decreased only with 1.2 hours in the control group (p<0.001). Stool composition became looser in the intervention group, but defecation frequency did not change. The median scores of the QoL questionnaire improved significantly in the intervention group for all parameters. In the control group, parameters improved significantly also but not for the parent-child and social interaction. The score changes were significantly greater in the intervention than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The intervention formula (partial whey hydrolysate, synbiotic, reduced lactose) significantly reduced the duration of crying and improved QoL of the parents and infants.

Probiotics and Time to Achieve Full Enteral Feeding in Human Milk-Fed and Formula-Fed Preterm Infants: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Probiotics have been linked to a reduction in the incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis and late-onset sepsis in preterm infants. Recently, probiotics have also proved to reduce time to achieve full enteral feeding (FEF). However, the relationship between FEF achievement and type of feeding in infants treated with probiotics has not been explored yet. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotics in reducing time to achieve FEF in preterm infants, according to type of feeding (exclusive human milk (HM) vs. formula). Randomized-controlled trials involving preterm infants receiving probiotics, and reporting on time to reach FEF were included in the systematic review. Trials reporting on outcome according to type of feeding (exclusive HM vs. formula) were included in the meta-analysis. Fixed-effect or random-effects models were used as appropriate. Results were expressed as mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Twenty-five studies were included in the systematic review. In the five studies recruiting exclusively HM-fed preterm infants, those treated with probiotics reached FEF approximately 3 days before controls (MD -3.15 days (95% CI -5.25/-1.05), p = 0.003). None of the two studies reporting on exclusively formula-fed infants showed any difference between infants receiving probiotics and controls in terms of FEF achievement. The limited number of included studies did not allow testing for other subgroup differences between HM and formula-fed infants. However, if confirmed in further studies, the 3-days reduction in time to achieve FEF in exclusively HM-fed preterm infants might have significant implications for their clinical management.

Antiviral activity of Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis against Coxsackievirus A and Enterovirus 71 infection in human skeletal muscle and colon cell lines

Background

Recurrence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) pandemics continues to threaten public health. Despite increasing awareness and efforts, effective vaccine and drug treatment have yet to be available. Probiotics have gained recognition in the field of healthcare worldwide, and have been extensively prescribed to babies and young children to relieve gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances and diseases, associated or not with microbial infections. Since the faecal-oral axis represents the major route of HFMD transmission, transient persistence of probiotic bacteria in the GI tract may confer some protection against HFMD and limit transmission among children.

Methods

In this work, the antiviral activity of two commercially available probiotics, namely Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis (L. reuteri Protectis) and Lactobacillus casei Shirota (L. casei Shirota), was assayed against Coxsackieviruses and Enterovirus 71 (EV71), the main agents responsible for HFMD. In vitro infection set-ups using human skeletal muscle and colon cell lines were designed to assess the antiviral effect of the probiotic bacteria during entry and post-entry steps of the infection cycle.

Results

Our findings indicate that L. reuteri Protectis displays a significant dose-dependent antiviral activity against Coxsackievirus type A (CA) strain 6 (CA6), CA16 and EV71, but not against Coxsackievirus type B strain 2. Our data support that the antiviral effect is likely achieved through direct physical interaction between bacteria and virus particles, which impairs virus entry into its mammalian host cell. In contrast, no significant antiviral effect was observed with L. casei Shirota.

Conclusions

Should the antiviral activity of L. reuteri Protectis observed in vitro be translated in vivo, such probiotics-based therapeutic approach may have the potential to address the urgent need for a safe and effective means to protect against HFMD and limit its transmission among children.

Functional gastro-intestinal disorder algorithms focus on early recognition, parental reassurance and nutritional strategies

Up to 50% of infants present with symptoms of regurgitation, infantile colic and/or constipation during the first 12 months of life. Although they are often classed as functional disorders, there is an overlap with cows' milk allergy. We present practical algorithms for the management of such disorders, based on existing evidence and general consensus, with a particular focus on primary health care. Management consists of early recognition of warning signs of organic disease, parental reassurance and nutritional strategies.

CONCLUSION

The proposed algorithms aim to help healthcare providers manage frequent gastrointestinal and cows' milk-related symptoms in infants safely and effectively.

Infant Colic

This article reviews the evidence for an association between infant colic and migraine. Infant colic, or excessive crying in an otherwise healthy and well-fed infant, affects approximately 5%-19% of infants. Multiple case-control studies, a cross-sectional study, and a prospective cohort study have all found an association between infant colic and migraine. Although infant colic is often assumed to have a gastrointestinal cause, several treatment trials aimed at gastrointestinal etiologies have been negative. Teaching parents how to respond best to inconsolable crying may be helpful and important for preventing shaken baby syndrome. Given accumulating evidence for a connection between infant colic and pediatric migraine, future studies should examine migraine-oriented treatments for infant colic. Infant colic should be moved into the main body of International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-III beta) as one of the "Episodic syndromes that may be associated with migraine."

The use of probiotics in pediatric gastroenterology: a review of the literature and recommendations by Latin-American experts

OBJECTIVE

The stability and composition of intestinal flora plays a vital role in human wellbeing throughout life from as early as birth. Over the past 50 years, several studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of probiotic administration in pediatric gastroenterology. This document aims to provide a recommendation score on probiotic utilization in pediatric gastroenterology, together with a review of current knowledge concerning its benefits, tolerability, and safety.

STUDY DESIGN

Published literature was selected without study design restriction: clinical guidelines, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, outcomes research and case-controlled studies were selected using the following MESH-validated terms: probiotics, diarrhea, acute diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, bacterial diarrhea, nosocomial diarrhea, prophylactic diarrhea, Helicobacter pylori infection, colic, infantile colic, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), inflammatory bowel disease, constipation, and allergy. Once the validity and the quality of results were evaluated, a recommendation score and level of evidence were assigned for pediatric gastrointestinal-related conditions, according to the updated Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines: 1a for systematic review (SR) of RCTs, 1b for individual RCT, 1c for SR and individual RCT, 2a for SR of cohort studies, 2b for individual cohort studies, 2c for outcomes research, and 3a for SR of case-control studies.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

The Latin American Expert group consensus recommends the use of the following probiotics for pediatric gastrointestinal conditions: prevention of acute infectious diarrhea (AID): 1b for Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), and L. reuteri; prevention of nosocomial diarrhea: 1 b for B. lactis Bb12, B. bifidum, LGG and Streptococcus thermophiles; treatment of AID: 1a for LGG and S. boulardii, 1b for L. reuteri; prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: 1b for LGG and S. boulardii; prevention of traveler's diarrhea: 1b for S. boulardii; prevention of infantile colic: 1a for L. reuteri DSM 17938; treatment of infantile colic: 1b for L. reuteri DSM 17938; prevention of NEC: 1a for B. breve, mixtures of Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus, LGG, L. acidophilus and L. reuteri DSM 17938; induction and maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis: 1b for VSL#3; improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome: 2c for LGG and VSL#3.