Clinical Indications for Use of Probiotics in the Pediatric Population

A lthough the use of live bacteria to promote health evolved from the work of Metchnikoff in 1908 it has only been recently that probiotics, defined as “live microorganisms which when supplemented in adequate amounts confers a health benefit on the host” have achieved widespread use (1,2). The most typical probiotic bacteria include those that are lactic acid producing such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacter (Table 1). Currently, probiotics are being administered for health maintenance, immune enhancement and the prevention and treatment of a variety of medical conditions. The introduction of probiotics into food products has also helped spur a dramatic interest in this field by the lay population. However, the advertised health benefits of these products need to be viewed at this point with skepticism since probiotic dosages provided may be inadequate for therapeutic benefit and food processing may result in variable numbers of viable organisms compared to the commercially prepared probiotic formulations.