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Nutrients
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Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics
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Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Prebiotics and Probiotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 September 2024) | Viewed by 19092

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Valentina Fabiano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Luigi Sacco, Università di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
2. Department of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
Interests: pediatrics; nutrition; probiotic; prebiotics; gut microbiota
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Probiotics are live microorganisms promoted with claims that they provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving or restoring the gut microbiota.

Probiotics and prebiotics are a hot topic in pediatrics research. Studies indicate that probiotics can act by competing with pathogens, modifying the intestinal environment by a reduction in pH, as a result of fermentation products, interacting and modulating local and systemic inflammatory and immune response, among others. Probiotics products contain viable micro-organisms that confer a health benefit on the host. Beneficial effects of selected probiotic strains for the management or prevention of selected pediatric conditions have been demonstrated.

Prebiotic is defined as “a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit”. Prebiotics, acting as immunoreactive agents, may promote general health and are promising in the prevention and treatment of different pediatric diseases.

This Special Issue focuses on the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on improving gastrointestinal health in pediatrics, as well as on human health and disease prevention.

Dr. Valentina Fabiano
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • probiotics, prebiotics
  • Lactobacilli
  • Bifidobacterium
  • infant nutrition
  • gut

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2027 KiB  
Article
The Effectiveness of Heat-Killed Pediococcus acidilactici K15 in Preventing Respiratory Tract Infections in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
by Kenichi Takeshita, Haruka Hishiki, Haruka Takei, Naho Ikari, Saori Tanaka, Yuta Iijima, Hitoshi Ogata, Kensuke Fujishiro, Takahiro Tominaga, Yuki Konno, Yukiko Iwase, Taiji Nakano, Mamiko Endo, Naruhiko Ishiwada, Yoshiteru Osone, Tomohiro Kawaguchi, Taro Horiba, Ryo Takemura, Hiromichi Hamada and Naoki Shimojo
Nutrients 2024, 16(21), 3635; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16213635 - 25 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1309
Abstract
Background: Preterm infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have a risk of severe viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Researchers have recently reported the potential use of postbiotics to decrease RTIs in young children. However, the safety and efficacy of postbiotics [...] Read more.
Background: Preterm infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have a risk of severe viral respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Researchers have recently reported the potential use of postbiotics to decrease RTIs in young children. However, the safety and efficacy of postbiotics for preventing RTIs in preterm infants is not yet established. Methods: We conducted a pilot double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the heat-killed lactic acid bacterium Pediococcus acidilactici K15 in 41 preterm infants born at <36 weeks of gestation and discharged from the NICU at Chiba University Hospital. Results: Following once-daily K15 or placebo treatment for one year, no significant differences were found in the mean number of febrile days (4.5 [1.5–7.4] days vs. 6.6 [2.6–10.5] days). The subgroup analysis showed that the effect of treatment on the number of febrile days was more prominent in the K15 group than in the placebo group, among children with older siblings. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples illustrated that the genus Faecalimonas was enriched in the K15 group, potentially promoting butyrate production by butyrate-producing bacteria. No adverse events were found to be associated with K15 intake. Conclusion: There were no clear data to show the effectiveness of K15 in preventing fever and RTIs in preterm babies during infancy. A larger clinical trial is warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics)
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10 pages, 867 KiB  
Article
Effects of Bifidobacterium longum 35624 in Children and Adolescents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome
by Sylvia Cruchet Muñoz, Sandra Verbeke Palma, Lydia Lera Marqués, María Nelly Espinosa Pizarro, Jacqueline Malig Mechasqui and Katy Sorensen
Nutrients 2024, 16(12), 1967; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121967 - 20 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4363
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and vitamin D deficiency are common among children in Latin America. Previous studies show that Bifidobacterium longum35624TM improves IBS symptoms in adults. This real-world, single-arm, open-label study conducted in Chile investigated the effects of B. longum 35624 [...] Read more.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and vitamin D deficiency are common among children in Latin America. Previous studies show that Bifidobacterium longum35624TM improves IBS symptoms in adults. This real-world, single-arm, open-label study conducted in Chile investigated the effects of B. longum 35624 (1 × 109 colony-forming units, 12 weeks) on gastrointestinal symptoms (adapted IBS severity scoring system [IBS-SSS]; adapted Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms [QPGS], and Bristol Stool Form Scale) in 64 children and adolescents (8–18 years) and explored the relationship with baseline vitamin D status. Improvements in all IBS-SSS domains and composite score were observed at week 6 and 12 (p < 0.0007 versus baseline), with 98.3% of participants experiencing numerical improvements in ≥3 domains. Clinically meaningful improvement was seen in 96.6% of participants. The distribution of IBS-SSS severity categories shifted from moderate/severe at baseline to mild/remission (p < 0.0001). Improvements were not maintained during the two-week washout. Low baseline serum vitamin D levels did not correlate to IBS severity or probiotic response. QPGS significantly decreased from baseline to week 6 (p = 0.0005) and 12 (p = 0.02). B. longum 35624 may improve IBS symptoms in children and adolescents, even those with vitamin D deficiency. A confirmatory randomized controlled trial and further exploration of probiotic response and vitamin D status are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics)
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21 pages, 5396 KiB  
Article
Limosilactobacillus vaginalis Exerts Bifidogenic Effects: A Novel Postbiotic Strategy for Infant Prebiotic Supplementation
by Barbara Giordani, Carola Parolin, Angela Abruzzo, Claudio Foschi, Antonella Marangoni, Barbara Luppi and Beatrice Vitali
Nutrients 2023, 15(20), 4433; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15204433 - 19 Oct 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2390
Abstract
Infant microbiota shaping strictly influences newborns’ well-being and long-term health, and babies born by cesarean-section and formula-fed generally show low microbial gut diversity and are more prone to develop various disorders. The supplementation with beneficial microbes of vaginal origin or derivatives (postbiotics, including [...] Read more.
Infant microbiota shaping strictly influences newborns’ well-being and long-term health, and babies born by cesarean-section and formula-fed generally show low microbial gut diversity and are more prone to develop various disorders. The supplementation with beneficial microbes of vaginal origin or derivatives (postbiotics, including heat-inactivated cells) represents a valid strategy to drive the correct gut microbiota shaping. Here, we explored for the first time the bifidogenic activity of a heat-killed vaginal strain (Limosilactobacillus vaginalis BC17), in addition to the assessment of its safety. L. vaginalis BC17 whole genome was sequenced by Nanopore technology and highlighted the absence of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors, indicating the strain safety profile for human health. MIC values confirmed that L. vaginalis BC17 is susceptible to widely employed antibiotics. Heat-killed BC17 cells significantly enhanced the planktonic growth of Bifidobacterium spp. For the first time, stimulating effects were observed also toward biofilm formation of bifidobacteria and their pre-formed biofilms. Conversely, heat-killed BC17 cells exerted antibacterial and anti-biofilms activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Lyophilized heat-killed BC17 cells were formulated in a sunflower oil suspension (1010 heat-killed cell/g) intended for infant oral intake. This possessed optimal technological (i.e., re-dispersibility and stability) and functional properties (i.e., bifidogenic activity) that were maintained even after pre-digestion in acidic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics)
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Review

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17 pages, 1734 KiB  
Review
Probiotics and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Perspective for Management in Adolescents with Obesity
by Valeria Calcaterra, Virginia Rossi, Giulia Massini, Francesca Casini, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti and Valentina Fabiano
Nutrients 2023, 15(14), 3144; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143144 - 14 Jul 2023
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 8505
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects a considerable percentage of females of reproductive age. PCOS is an obesity-related condition and its effects are greatly amplified by obesity. Even though the pathogenesis of PCOS remains complex and has not been fully elucidated, a link between [...] Read more.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects a considerable percentage of females of reproductive age. PCOS is an obesity-related condition and its effects are greatly amplified by obesity. Even though the pathogenesis of PCOS remains complex and has not been fully elucidated, a link between obesity, PCOS, and dysbiosis has been described. The potential role of the gut microbiota in the development and progression of PCOS and its associated symptoms has also been reported. The aim of this narrative review is to present a non-systematic analysis of the available literature on the topic of probiotics and PCOS in adolescents with obesity in order to revise the beneficial effects of probiotics/symbiotic supplementation on hormonal and metabolic profiles and inflammatory conditions. The effectiveness of probiotics/synbiotics in PCOS has been supported. The literature suggests that probiotic/symbiotic supplementation may ameliorate hormonal profiles, inflammatory indicators, and lipid metabolism disturbances caused by PCOS. Studies also show improvements in weight, BMI, insulin, and HOMA-IR, including a potential role it plays in protecting fertility. Even though further studies are needed to confirm these findings, particularly in adolescent patients, probiotic supplementation may be considered a solution for managing PCOS in adolescents with obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics)
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Other

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8 pages, 595 KiB  
Brief Report
A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Effect of 1-Kestose on Defecation Habits in Constipated Kindergarten Children: A Pilot Study
by Mayuko Takahashi, Yoshihiro Kadota, Yuki Shiko, Yohei Kawasaki, Kenichi Sakurai, Chisato Mori and Naoki Shimojo
Nutrients 2023, 15(14), 3276; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15143276 - 24 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1799
Abstract
Constipation is common in children and can significantly affect quality of life. Prebiotics are reportedly helpful for constipation in adults, but few studies have examined their use in young children. In this study, the effect of 1-kestose (kestose), which has excellent bifidobacterial growth [...] Read more.
Constipation is common in children and can significantly affect quality of life. Prebiotics are reportedly helpful for constipation in adults, but few studies have examined their use in young children. In this study, the effect of 1-kestose (kestose), which has excellent bifidobacterial growth properties, on constipation in kindergarten children (n = 11) was compared with that of maltose (n = 12) in a randomized, double-blind study. Three grams of kestose per day for 8 weeks did not affect stool properties, but significantly increased the number of defecations per week (Median; 3 → 4 times/week, p = 0.017, effect size = 0.53). A significant decrease in Intestinibacter, a trend toward increased bifidobacteria, and a trend toward decreased Clostridium sensu stricto were observed after kestose ingestion, while concentrations of short-chain fatty acids in stools were unchanged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics)
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