Pediatric Pearls

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Probiotics are non-harmful bacteria that are used to improve or normalize balance of gut micro flora. Probiotics are available in dietary supplements or in food products as live active cultures such as yogurt. They are used to prevent and treat disease such as gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea due to antibiotics and atopic dermatitis. Use of probiotics does need to be done with caution in individuals who are immunocompromised. Safe forms are in fermented foods such as buttermilk, yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut.

Common types of probiotics are L. acidophilus, Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces species. Some need to be refrigerated and some do not. The more colony forming units the better. Speak to your child’s doctor about probiotics.

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