Purpose of review: To report the indications and/or recommendations by Societies and Institutions for the use of probiotics and prebiotics in functional intestinal disorders in childhood.
Recent findings: A position by Societies and Institutions is available only for infant colic, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. Supplementation with the probiotic L reuteri DSM 17938 in breastfed term infants with colic appears to be effective in reducing crying, while still debated is its role in the prevention of colic. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder in children and at present no specific treatments are available; existing data show that although high-quality studies are still needed, some evidence support the efficacy of LGG and VSL#3 in paediatric IBS. At present there is no evidence for the use of pre- or probiotics in childhood constipation.
Summary: Probiotics in a near future may have a definite role is some FGIDs of infants and children. The main limitations for the recommendation by Societies and Institutions are the methodological issues that limit the quality of the evidence and the heterogeneity of treatments (probiotic strain and dose, mode, dose and duration of supplementation, primary outcomes, etc). Some specific strains are promising for infant colic (L. reuteri DSM 17938) and irritable bowel syndrome (LGG) while at present there is no indication for their use in the treatment of childhood constipation.