[Effectiveness and safety of probiotics in children on the basis of clinical trials].

Probiotics may be helpful if they are used according to current medical knowledge based on the results of properly designed and well-conducted clinical trials. Their effects depend on the specific strain and defined dose of the probiotic microorganism, and should not be extrapolated on other, even closely related strains. Meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials performed in children showed the greatest probiotic efficacy of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Saccharomyces boulardii strains in the treatment of acute viral infectious diarrhea and in prevention of non-difficile antibiotic associated-diarrhea (AAD). The clinical efficacy of probiotics in other indications in children has not been substantiated until now, however the results of some clinical trials (e.g. in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) or atopic dermatitis) are promising. When using probiotics, it is necessary to rely on the results of well-designed clinical trials, not on commercials. This paper provides information based on recent knowledge concerning the efficacy and safety of probiotics according to the results of clinical trials performed in children.