Probiotics For Kids: How Are They Useful?
Probiotics are the friendly bacteria which reside in our gut, skin and vaginal tissue of women. Probiotics are live microorganisms intended to provide health benefits when consumed, generally by improving or restoring the gut flora. When they are consumed in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. Probiotics for kids play a major role in various stages of their life.
Kids are frequently associated with digestive disorders such as diarrhea. This is due to their habits such as thumb sucking, tendency to keep anything in mouth etc. Due to these habits, many harmful bacteria or other microbes reach the gut and disrupt the bowel movements.
Usually, these symptoms subside with time. The probiotics present in the gut will restore the balance. But like the bad bacteria probiotics are also destroyed due to multiple factors. One of them is consumption of antibiotics. It is at this time the kid experiences frequent symptoms or severe symptoms of diarrhea. It also opens the doorway for secondary infections such as yeast infections.
Replenishing the gut with probiotics will aid the gut in restoring the balance. It also helps in fighting the secondary infections (1). Like adults, children can also benefit from probiotics.
How does children’s microbiome develop?
The child’s microbiome develops before birth. It develops in the mother’s womb (2). The child’s microbiome is determined by mother’s microbiome. The mode of birth (vaginal or C – section) also determines the composition of baby probiotics. Breast milk will also transfer ample amount of probiotics to the baby. The initial colonization of the baby’s gut is called as pioneer microbiome. By summing up all these, the baby’s microbiome is determined by:
- The composition of the mother’s microbiota during the period of pregnancy.
- Mode of birth
- Breastfeeding
As an infant/toddler, the baby probiotics are predominantly comprised of Bifidobacterium longum subsp infantis. This strain is effective in digestion of milk. As the baby ages, this strain will slowly diminish and replaced by B. longum subsp longum.
Benefits of Probiotics for kids
Immunity
Probiotics for kids play the major role in shaping and developing the immunity since birth. They form a close association with the Peyer’s patches present in the lower gut. The Peyer’s patches are a group of Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT). GALT forms the first line of defense in early childhood.
Gut microbiome exposes GALT to varying levels of stimulus thereby triggering an immune response at various levels. This is the key role of the gut microbiome in shaping, developing and maintaining the budding immune system.
L. casei is known to augment IgA modulated immunity (3). In infant rabbits, enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) infection was reduced by L. casei due to an increase in anti-Shiga toxin. L. casei regulated the transcription of genes encoding pro-inflammatory effectors such as cytokines and chemokines and adherence molecules (4).
Antimicrobial properties
Gut microbiome helps in preventing infections. They fend off harmful pathogens by their inherent antimicrobial properties. The most common enteropathogen of the gut in early childhood is Escherichia coli. An outburst in E. coli will result in severe symptoms of diarrhea.
The gut microbiome, to survive the harsh environment of stomach acids, form a hard-protective covering around themselves. This protective layer will form a physical barrier and prevent the colonization of other harmful bacteria. This mechanism is known as Colonization Resistance.
In a lab research, Lactobacillus acidophilus prevented the colonization of E. coli through quorum sensing (5). An unknown molecule secreted by L. acidophilus prevented the transcription of genes responsible for the colonization of E. coli. Bifidobacterium species are also effective in preventing the colonization of opportunistic pathogens.
The gut expresses its antimicrobial activity through defensins (hBD protein) and cathelicidins. These are antimicrobial peptides which are expressed when the gut is exposed to bacteria, fungi, and yeast.
In a case study, probiotics such as Lactobacilli and VSL#3 enhanced the production of defensin. The subjects showed elevated levels hBD for over a period of 3 weeks even after discontinuing probiotic therapy (6).
Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea (AAD)
Antibiotics such as aminopenicillins (Ampicillin or Amoxicillin), aminopenicillin combined with the clavulanic acid, cephalosporins, and clindamycin increase the risk of diarrhea both in children and in adults. These antibiotics reduce the population of gut flora. It also provides the opportunity for facultative anaerobes to invade the gut.
Probiotics are proved to effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and is studied extensively (7). In a randomized, parallel, controlled trials in children (Age: 0 to 18 years) receiving antibiotics, 3432 participants were studied (8). These participants were given different species of the following genera:
- Bacillus
- Bifidobacterium
- Lactobacilli
- Lactococcus
- Saccharomyces
- Streptococcus (alone or in combination).
The children were given either single strain (in some groups) or a combination of any of the above.
The study concluded that the different strains of probiotics effectively reduced the symptoms of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Case studies have shown that Saccharomyces boulardii was very effective in reducing AAD (9).
Irritable bowel syndrome
An irritable bowel syndrome is a group of symptoms characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and constipation. The exact cause of IBS is not known. It is believed that there are many triggering factors which predispose IBS.
The major factors which are believed to cause IBS are:
- A disturbance is a gut-brain axis
- Infections
- Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO)
- Genetic disorders
- Food sensitivity (gluten or lactose)
Irritable bowel syndrome can affect people in any age group. In children, it is predominantly seen between the ages of 6 and 13 years.
Probiotics are extensively studied in reducing the symptoms of IBS. Over the years of studies, it is established that Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 (Bifantis) is the most effective probiotic strain in reducing the symptoms of IBS (10).
In a randomized study, 59 children with IBS were treated with VSL#3. The results concluded that VSL#3 was very effective in reducing various symptoms of IBS (11). VSL#3 contains Bifantis along with other strains of probiotics.
Apart from the above uses, probiotics also help in Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (12), reduce colic (13) and other inflammatory diseases such as eczema.
Should I Give Probiotics for kids?
Probiotics for kids are generally regarded as safe (GARS). You can give your kid probiotics in the form of fermented foods or supplements. But there are certain exceptions where you must avoid probiotics especially the supplements. They are:
- If your kid has any congenital diseases/disorders.
- Reduced or underdeveloped immunity
- Cancer and ongoing chemotherapy.
- Premature baby
- Any ongoing treatment with steroids.
If your child is not suffering from any of the above conditions, it is safe to give probiotics. There are many ways a child can get probiotics. The most popular probiotic foods for children include:
- Yogurt
- Fermented milk
- Kefir
- Aged cheese
- Sauerkraut
- Buttermilk
- Pickles
- Tempeh
You can start giving these foods as early as you can. Certain foods such as yogurt and yogurt drinks are every popular probiotic food for children. You can make yogurt smoothies by mixing them with your child’s favorite fruit (fresh or frozen).
Raw milk must be avoided as they can cause a life-threatening condition.
If you are uncertain about probiotic foods, you can get supplements which have a specific amount of probiotic strains. By this, you can control the number of probiotic strains your child is consuming.
Read the label before buying any probiotic supplements. A simple term ‘live and active’ does not necessarily make them probiotic. The manufacturer must mention the probiotic strains included in their product, shelf life, colony forming units (CFU’s) and storage instructions.
Note that probiotic supplements are not completely under the control of FDA. They are considered as foods than medicines by FDA. So, they are not mandated to show their efficacy or safety.
If you are planning to give probiotic supplements for kids, here are a few best products picked up for you. Most of the probiotic supplements come in the form of chewable gummies. These supplements are also available in different flavors. This will make it palatable for your kid.
Here are some of the best probiotics for kids
Considering the benefits of probiotics for kids, it would be wise to give certain supplements. If your kid is suffering from any particular type of disorder such as IBS or diarrhea, adding a probiotic supplement can alleviate the symptoms. Here are some best probiotics for kids listed out for you.
SmartyPants Kids Probiotic
SmartyPants probiotics for kids is our first choice amongst the best probiotics for kids. It is gluten-free and contains 4 billion CFU live and active cultures of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus coagulans. These two probiotics are the most popular strains and are studied extensively.
It is best probiotic for toddlers immune system.
The SmartyPants probiotic supplement also comes with prebiotics such as corn-starch (non-GMO). This ensures the survival of the probiotics and helps them reach the lower gut.
Dosage:
Children above 3 years must take 2 gummies daily.
Best probiotic for boosting immunity in kids
OLLY Kids Multivitamin & Probiotic Gummy Supplement
OLLY Kids Multivitamin & Probiotic Gummy Supplement is a combination of probiotics and multivitamins. It contains:
- Vitamin A, C, D. E, and B
- Zinc
- Omega -3 fatty acids (Fish oil)
- Bacillus coagulans – 500 million to 1 billion CFU per serving.
It is best suited for multipurpose benefits.
for This product is gluten-free and we love this product for its multitude of benefits. It does not need refrigeration for storage.
Dosage:
- Kids between 2 – 3 years should take 1 gummy daily.
- Above 4 years old – 2 gummies daily.
Best for vitamin supplements and digestive disorders.
Culturelle Kids Probiotic
Culturelle kids probiotic is one of the most popular probiotics for kids. It contains Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG 5 billion CFUs. It is best suited to promote immunity and digestive health. Culturelle kids probiotic is gluten and sugar-free. It also helps reduce occasional digestive upset in kids including diarrhea or general discomfort.
It is best probiotic for kids constipation.
It comes in various forms such as chewables (for kids above 3 years), comfort drops (for kids between 0-12 months of age) and packets (for kids between 12 – 24 months of age).
Dosage:
For kids above 3 years, 1 tablet daily.
Best for boosting immunity and digestive disorders.
PRO – KIDS From Hyperbiotics
PRO-Kids contains the following probiotic strains:
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- Bifidobacterium lactis
It is best probiotic for toddlers diarrhea, immunity, and digestion.
It is gluten and sugar-free. Pro-Kids contain revolutionary Bio-Tract pearl technology which creates a protective covering around the bacteria. This helps the bacteria to survive the acids in the stomach acids and reach the lower gut. This also enhances maximum colony forming units per serving. This makes it superior over traditional enteric-coated capsules.
The bacteria are released slowly throughout the day. So, it is OK to take before food (empty stomach).
Best For diarrhea, constipation, digestion, and immunity.
Renew Life – Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic
Renew Life – Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic contains 6 different probiotic strains with 3 billion CFUs. The probiotic strains are:
- Bacillus coagulans
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus salivarius
- Lactobacillus plantarum
They are blended together with natural fruit juices for punchy flavors. It is free of sugar, dairy, gluten, and soy.
It is best probiotic for infants to boost the immunity.
Apart from immunity, it also boosts the digestive system. It reduces the symptoms of occasional digestive upset.
Dosage:
Children above 2 years – 1 tablet per day.
NOT TO BE USED FOR CHILDREN BELOW 2 YEARS OLD.
Best for toddlers immunity and digestion.
Probiotics for kids side effects
Although it is very unlikely to have a serious allergic reaction, your kid might experience side effects such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. If you see any side effects, caution your doctor immediately. Other side effects include allergic reactions, skin rashes, breathlessness, wheeze etc. These side effects can occur due to an overdose of probiotic supplements.
Irrespective of the severity of side effect, consult your doctor immediately.
Before starting any probiotics for kids consult your pediatrician especially regarding supplements. Though supplements ensure the maximum benefits of probiotics their efficacy diminishes once you stop taking them. To ensure that probiotics for kids do not diminish in numbers, make sure to add fermented/probiotic foods to their daily diet. Adding high fiber foods (prebiotics) such as apples, garlic, nuts, and artichokes will ensure the survival and colonization of probiotics.
Read our Medical Information Disclaimer.
[1] The gut microbiome shapes intestinal immune responses during health and disease. [2] The placenta harbors a unique microbiome. [3] Lactobacillus casei induces activation of the gut mucosal immune system through innate immunity. [4] Mechanisms of action and clinical applications of probitoics. [5] Lactobacilli and VSL#3 induce enterocyte beta-defensin 2. [6] Protective effect of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli. [7] Probiotics in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children. [8] Probiotics for the prevention of pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea. [9] Prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by Saccharomyces boulardii. [10] Probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. [11] VSL#3 improves symptoms in children with irritable bowel syndrome. [12] Probiotics and Prebiotics in Pediatrics. [13] Probiotics to prevent or treat excessive infant crying.
