Prebiotics in the management of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders: Position paper of the ESPGHAN special interest group on gut microbiota and modifications.

Pedro Gutierrez Castrellon, Zvi Weizman, Magnus Domellöf, Ruggiero Francavilla, Rok Orel, Flavia Indrio, Ener Cagri Dinleyici, Roberto Berni Canani, Silvia Salvatore, Alfredo Guarino, Chris H P Van den Akker

Journal: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition 2024;78(3):728-742

PMID: 38270255

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Abstract

Prebiotics are substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit. Compared to probiotics there are few studies with prebiotics in children. Most studies have been performed using infant formula supplemented with prebiotics, while add-on prebiotic supplementation as prevention or treatment of childhood gastrointestinal disorders has rarely been reported. The aim of this position paper was to summarize evidence and make recommendations for prebiotic supplementation in children with gastrointestinal diseases. Recommendations made are based on publications up to January 1, 2023. Within the scope of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications, as in our previous biotic recommendations, at least two randomized controlled clinical trials were required for recommendation. There are some studies showing benefits of prebiotics on selected outcomes; however, we cannot give any positive recommendations for supplementing prebiotics in children with gastrointestinal disorders.

Address: Department of Experimental Medicine, Pediatric Section, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.; Department of Pediatrics, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkiye.; Department of Translational Medical Sciences-Section of Paediatrics, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.; Department of Clinical Sciences, Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.; Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Pediatric Section, Children's Hospital 'Giovanni XXIII', University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.; Innovación y Desarrollo de Estrategias en Salud (IDEAS), Mexico City, Mexico.; International Scientific Council for Probiotics A.C., Mexico City, Mexico.; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, University Children's Hospital, Ljubljana, Slovenia.; Department of Pediatrics, "F. Del Ponte" Hospital, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.; Department of Pediatrics-Neonatology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.; Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

DOI: 10.1002/jpn3.12134

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MeSH Terms: Child, Humans, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Gastrointestinal Microbiome, Oligosaccharides, Prebiotics, Probiotics, Public Opinion