title: Current and potential uses of probiotics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present data that support the current and potential use of probiotics in treating or preventing allergic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and other disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case reports, double-blind studies, and animal studies were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies were selected based on the expert opinion of the authors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Well-designed research studies suggest that supplementary consumption of certain probiotic strains may temporarily alter the intestinal microflora of infants and children to produce a beneficial effect. However, generalization of probiotic effects must not be made and critical scientific evaluation must be used in directing patients to select the appropriate probiotic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-5160, USA. jvanerh@unmc.edu
authors.forename: Jon A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vanderhoof
authors.forename: Rosemary J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000628:therapy; D007249:Inflammation / Q000628:therapy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*