Are Probiotics Really Healthy for your Kids?

In recent years, yogurt has become a common dessert alternative among Pinoys. Just take into account the sheer number of yogurt-selling establishments across the metro. And why not? Research has shown the many benefits that yogurt’s properties provide.

Probiotics, for instance, also called “good bacteria”, are defined by the World Health Organization as “live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host.” A known component of yogurt, probiotics can also be found in other sources such as yogurt, milk, miso, soy drinks and more.

What exactly are the advantages of probiotics for children? And is it even safe for kids? While giving probiotics to them may not exactly be harmful, it really isn’t that beneficial either, a study says.

Probiotics have a substantial amount of live microorganisms to help change what makes up someone’s gut bacteria and are said to help in treating and preventing diarrhea, but the effects aren’t noteworthy, according to experts.

Past studies, for instance, have looked at the effects of probiotics on gut disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is characterized by abdominal pain, cramping, constipation, bloating and diarrhea. However, a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics shows that probiotics does not help relieve kids of any symptoms and discomfort.

On the other hand, studies in recent years have shown how probiotics may possibly prevent pathogen infections causing diarrhea. In 2005, 200 babies between 4 to 10 months old were given probiotics for 12 weeks. Those that were given probiotics had a lower incidence of diarrhea (0.37 days) versus those that had no probiotics (0.59 days).

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Another study claims that a child would need probiotics to prevent just one case of rotavirus, considered one of the most common kinds of diarrhea, especially among babies and young kids.

Yet another study also shows that probiotics help children’s immune systems and prevent certain allergies such as eczema and asthma. In 2003, some 130 babies at risk for allergies were breastfed and given probiotics for six months. When the babies turned two years old, 23 percent of those who were given probiotics developed eczema versus the 46 precent of those who were not given probiotics as treatment. Despite these claims, however, more studies need to be conducted in order to confirm any health benefits of probiotics.

Says Dr. Frank Greer, professor of pediatrics at the Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, and lead researcher of the study, "Given the level of evidence, I can categorically say that I would not recommend parents going out of their way to give probiotics to children." Greer adds that the moment kids stop taking probiotics, the bacteria in the body will go back to its normal state.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), probiotics have no benefits when it comes to treating ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, among other diseases.

Despite this, AAP is not quick to entirely dismiss the health benefits potential of probiotics. "The current lack of evidence of efficacy does not mean that future clinical research will not establish significant health benefits for probiotics."


Sources:
•    “Probiotics” medicinenet.com
•    October 6, 2011. Rachael Rettner. “Are Probiotics Safe for Kids?” livescience.com
•    “Irritable Bowel Syndrome” digestive.niddk.nih.gov
•    Infections: Rotavirus. Kidshealth.org


Photo by Augapfel via flickr creative commons