Use of probiotics in pediatric infectious diseases.
We summarize current evidence and recommendations for the use of probiotics in childhood infectious diseases. Probiotics may be of benefit in treating acute infectious diarrhea and reducing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Potential benefits of probiotic on prevention of traveler's diarrhea,Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, side effects of triple therapy in Helicobacter pylori eradication, necrotizing enterocolitis, acute diarrhea, acute respiratory infections and recurrent urinary tract infections remain unclear. More studies are needed to investigate optimal strain, dosage, bioavailability of drops and tablets, duration of treatment and safety. Probiotics and recombinant probiotic strain represent a promising source of molecules for the development of novel anti-infectious therapy.
a Clinica Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale , Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Parma, Università di Parma , Parma , Italy.
Carlo
C
Caffarelli
b Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Consorziale-Policlinico", Ospedale Pediatrico Giovanni XXIII , Bari , Italy.
Fabio
F
Cardinale
c Clinica Pediatrica , Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Parma, Università di Parma , Parma , Italy.
Carlotta
C
Povesi-Dascola
d Dipartimento Cure Primarie, Pediatria Di Comunita` , Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale di Parma , Parma , Italy.
Icilio
I
Dodi
b Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Consorziale-Policlinico", Ospedale Pediatrico Giovanni XXIII , Bari , Italy.
Violetta
V
Mastrorilli
e Gozzadini" Children's Hospital , Policlinico S.Orsola - Malpighi University of Bologna , Bologna , Italy.
Giampaolo
G
Ricci
D002648:Child; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000178:diet therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy; D006801:Humans; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000178:diet therapy
Helicobacter pylori; NEC; acute respiratory infection; adverse events; antibiotic-associated diarrhea; childhood; diarrhea; infectious diseases; probiotics; urinary tract infection