title: Targeting the intestinal microbiota in the pediatric population: a clinical perspective.
abstract: The intestinal microbiota is a functional organ with a variety of important metabolic, trophic, immunologic, and digestive activities. Current data suggest that alterations in the intestinal microbiota may be related to disease conditions. Manipulation of the intestinal microbiota such as with probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics may be beneficial in preventing and treating certain disease conditions. This article provides an overview of the evidence gathered through randomized clinical trials, reviews, and meta-analyses on probiotics and prebiotics in commonly studied conditions in the pediatric population. It concludes with current recommendations for their use, noting safety and gaps in clinical evidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal and Child Health, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7445, USA. ringelta@email.unc.edu
authors.forename: Tamar
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ringel-Kulka
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D054892:Metagenome; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000379:methods; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics