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Probiotics in Primary Care Pediatrics

Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases and Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Andi L. Shane, MD, MPH

Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA

Cewin Chao, MS, RD

General Clinical Research Center, University of Michigan Health System

Maria Oliva-Hemker, MD

Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Probiotics are live microorganisms that help stabilize and balance intestinal microflora. Although these organisms are ubiquitous and have been used in the production of foods, probiotics have been used more frequently for therapeutic purposes, including the treatment and prevention of pediatric diseases. This article reviews the proposed mechanisms of the beneficial effects of probiotics, potential uses of these organisms in pediatric care, and promising future directions for their application.

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