Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
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J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. · Oct 2001
ReviewProbiotics in the treatment and prevention of acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children: a systematic review of published randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
This review was designed to assess the evidence from randomized controlled trials on effects of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children. ⋯ There is evidence of a clinically significant benefit of probiotics in the treatment of acute infectious diarrhea in infants and children, particularly in rotaviral gastroenteritis. Lactobacillus GG showed the most consistent effect, although other probiotic strains may also be effective. Further research is needed. Clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the prophylactic interventions preclude drawing firm conclusions about the efficacy of probiotics in preventing acute gastroenteritis.
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J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. · Jan 2000
ReviewDietary aspects of food allergy prevention in infants and children.
Food allergy occurs in approximately 4% to 6% of children, has increased in prevalence during the past decade, and thus represents a major burden to our young. The natural history of food allergy documents that allergies to cow's milk, egg, and soy frequently remit whereas allergies to peanut, nuts, and fish typically persist to adulthood, although exceptions exist. Food allergen avoidance subsequent to sensitization and manifestation of symptoms appears to hasten tolerance; however, the immunologic mechanism responsible for tolerance to one food group and not another is poorly understood. ⋯ Identifying and developing effective strategies to prevent food and other allergic diseases represents a high priority for medicine at this time because of the unbridled increase in the prevalence and morbidity attributed to them. Immunologic engineering holds the greatest promise for allergy prevention in the not too distant future, but environmental strategies that promote food avoidance provide an avenue for prevention at present. Such efforts rely actively on reducing the food allergenic load and exposure of atopy-prone infants and children.
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J. Pediatr. Gastroenterol. Nutr. · Sep 1998
ReviewUse of probiotics in childhood gastrointestinal disorders.
Probiotics appear to be useful in the prevention or treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders, including infectious diarrhea, antibiotic diarrhea, and traveler's diarrhea. Results of preliminary human and animal studies suggest that patients with inflammatory diseases, and even irritable bowel syndrome, may benefit from probiotic therapy. ⋯ Questions related to probiotic origin, survivability, and adherence are all important considerations for further study. More important, each probiotic proposed must be studied individually and extensively to determine its efficacy and safety in each disorder for which its use may be considered.
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The general goals of treatment of cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) are: interruption of established episodes, amelioration of symptoms in patients whose episodes cannot be interrupted, aborting episodes during prodromal symptoms, prophylaxis to abolish or lessen the frequency of episodes, and recovery. Complications of cyclic vomiting episodes include esophagitis, hematemesis, depletion of intracellular electrolytes, hypertension, and secretion of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.