This is why probiotics are not needed in the case of gastrointestinal infections in children.
Double studies reveal that probiotics and lactic ferments offer no help to children with intestinal viruses or gastrointeritis
Many parents give their children probiotics who suffer from stomach problems. But do these supplements really help curb vomiting and diarrhea? Are they a valid method against the symptoms of gastroenteritis in children? The answer - at least for two popular probiotics - appears to be no. Indeed, they would only have a placebo effect.
According to two trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the "gut-friendly" microbes considered capable of restoring the balance of bacterial flora and strengthening the immune system do not actually improve the symptoms of gastro-intestinal infections.
Gastroenteritis is the technical name for the common stomach flu, which can be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. In the United States alone, where the studies were carried out, the disorder sends about 1,7 million children to the emergency room and hospitalizes 70 children every year.
The theory behind the use of lactic ferments and probiotics is that friendly bacteria could help the body fight belly problems and restore the normal balance of microbes in the digestive system. But it seems that this is not exactly the case for the younger ones.
"We have shown in two very large and rigorous studies that these particular probiotics do not work and have had no effect," says David Schnadower, professor of pediatrics at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
The review of the two trials involved 971 children welcomed between 2014 and 2017 in the emergency rooms of the St. Louis Children Hospital and 9 other facilities in different geographical areas of the USA. All the young patients suffered from typical gastroenteritis symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain) and had not taken probiotics in the two weeks prior to the visit. The children were divided into two groups: the first group was treated with the Lgg probiotic twice a day for five days, the second with a placebo of the same shape and similar taste.
In the first study, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis analyzed the effects of the common probiotic called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (Lgg, trade name Culturelle) on about 3 children between 4 months and XNUMX years of age.
In the second study conducted in Canada, attention was paid to another product, Lactobacillus acidophilus (Lacidofil).
Both studies questioned the efficacy of probiotics for treating gastroenteritis in early childhood.
“Parents would be better off saving money and using it to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for their children,” notes Phillip I. Tarr, co-author of the study.
“Probiotics have become an increasingly common way to treat children with acute gastroenteritis - specifies Schnadower. Some smaller studies had suggested that probiotics might help, however, those studies have had a number of limitations. We have tried to provide independent and conclusive evidence for or against the use of probiotics in infants and children with acute gastroenteritis ”.
Better, then, to resort to other remedies. In the case of infants or very young children, particular attention must be paid to thehydration. Vomiting, diarrhea combined with poor appetite and difficulty drinking water or milk can have consequences in babies.
It is always better to consult your pediatrician, who will also advise you on lactic ferments suitable for the situation and age of the child. Often an integration of mineral salts is also suggested.
What must be done try as much as possible to make the children drink. If they don't like water, help yourself with fresh fruit juices made by you but diluted with water.
Read also
- Intestinal flu: symptoms, remedies and what to eat
- Probiotics, the best gut health supplements
- Probiotic supplements: this is why "lactic ferments" do not always work
Germana Carillo
