title: Probiotics and prebiotics in pediatric diarrheal disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In pediatrics, prebiotics and/or probiotics are added to infant formula, mainly to prevent diseases such as diarrheal disorders. Probiotic food supplements and medication are frequently used in the treatment of diarrheal disorders. This paper reviews the recent published evidence on these topics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant literature published using PubMed and CINAHL was collected and reviewed. Recent review papers were give special attention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of pre- and/or probiotics to infant formula seems not harmful, but the evidence for benefit is limited. Most probiotics are commercialized as food supplements, and therefore do not qualify for medication legislation. Worldwide, Saccharomyces boulardii is the only strain which is registered as "medication" in the majority of countries. Efficacy data can only be considered if performed with the commercialized product. Some products reduce the risk for antibiotic-associated diarrhea and reduced the duration of acute infectious diarrhea with about 24 h. Overall, data in the other indications (inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome) are disappointing, although there are some recent promising results. The use of food supplements as medication opens the discussion to create a category of "medical food."
authors: Vrije Universiteit Brussel, UZ Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium. yvanvandenplas@uzbrussel.be
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Vandenplas
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: De Greef
authors: Bruno
authors: B
authors: Hauser
authors: Thierry
authors: T
authors: Devreker
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Veereman-Wauters
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D056692:Prebiotics / Q000009:adverse effects; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics