Frequent colds are the result of poor functioning of the immune system, which directly depends on the state of the intestinal microflora. This problem is faced by patients of different age groups, including babies. Many pediatricians prescribe probiotics for children to strengthen the protective functions of the body, eliminate dysbiosis and improve digestion. The pharmaceutical industry produces a huge number of such drugs, which are distinguished by generation, and therefore by effectiveness.
Probiotics - what is it?
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that inhabit the intestines in a healthy state. They adversely affect pathogenic bacteria and are able to restore normal microflora after diseases. Probiotics are found in specially formulated drugs or added to certain foods, such as yoghurts.
The very first probiotic that people started using is considered Lactobacillus bolgaricus. Bulgarian lactobacillus was actively used for the manufacture of dairy products. This technology is adhered to the present time in many countries. In addition to lactobacilli, the composition of the preparations may include bifidobacteria, yeast fungi, enterococci.
Why are probiotics needed?
The human intestines are populated by many different bacteria, both beneficial and harmful. They can normally coexist together if the body is relatively healthy. Unfortunately, currently it is impossible to find a person who would not have a single history of pathology and practically does not suffer from viral and colds. Patients of the younger age group are most susceptible to various ailments.
Probiotics for children are prescribed quite often. With their help, they strengthen the immune system, adjust the amount of beneficial and pathogenic microflora in the digestive tract, and prevent the growth of microbes and viruses. Probiotics are the main method of combating the dysbiosis that infants suffer. Also, beneficial bacteria help the body cope with the following problems:
- Recovery of microflora after a course of antibiotic therapy.
- Constipation caused by innovations in the nutrition of the child.
- Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract of infectious etiology.
- Bloating, colic in newborns.
- Frequent manifestations of allergy symptoms in the form of diathesis or contact dermatitis.
- To prevent and treat anemia.
Parents should consider that probiotics should be selected exclusively by doctors, given the baby’s diagnosis.
What is the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Prebiotics are substances that have a positive effect on the state of the intestine, stimulating an increase in the number of beneficial microorganisms. Prebiotics, unlike probiotics, are chemicals in various foods. When interacting, they complement each other and accelerate the recovery of microflora. That is, prebiotics provide the necessary favorable conditions for the development of living beneficial bacteria, but they do not have any therapeutic effect.
Many experts recommend taking probiotics and prebiotics at the same time. For children, drugs are good, which simultaneously contain live bacteria and substances that act as a breeding ground for beneficial bacteria. Prebiotics also help reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms, maintain an optimal level of acidity, and eliminate increased gas formation. They are not digested in the upper part of the digestive tract, but are split only when they enter the large intestine.
Classification of probiotics
In modern medicine, probiotics are distinguished by the combination of living bacteria in the composition. They are divided into groups:
- Monoprobiotics - contain only one type of beneficial microorganisms.
- Polyprobiotics - the composition includes several strains of bacteria.
- Self-eliminating antagonists - contain spore bacilli and yeast-like fungi.
- Sorption (combined) probiotics for children - combine living beneficial microorganisms and enterosorbents at the same time.
- Metabolic probiotics - the drugs are based on microbial cell components and metabolites.
Depending on the constituent bacteria, probiotic preparations are classified as follows:
- Bifid-containing.
- Lacto-containing.
- Yeast-like mushrooms.
- Enterococci.
- Coliseous.
Drugs can be released in liquid and dry form. For children under 6 years old, doctors recommend giving liquid probiotics. Such a tool will bring benefits only if the appointment was made by a specialist after a preliminary examination of the child.
How to choose the best probiotics for children?
Preparations containing beneficial living microorganisms can indeed help the body overcome some diseases, strengthen immunity and establish digestion. Depending on the type of ailment, a specialist selects suitable probiotics for the intestine.
For children with dysbacteriosis, lactic-containing drugs are initially more suitable, then they switch to bifidobacteria. The most suitable are preparations in liquid form that have not been dried and are initially in an active state. They usually include the vital products of beneficial bacteria - metabolites. It should be borne in mind that in this form probiotics do not have a long shelf life, but are considered the most effective, since they manage to act before they are removed from the body.
In case of diarrhea caused by intestinal infection, it is necessary to use combined probiotic agents, the action of which is supplemented by sorbents. Lactobacilli will be most effective in case of bacterial or viral lesions. Basically, they are combined with bifidobacteria, which inhibit the development of pathogenic microflora and cleanse the intestinal mucosa.
Probiotics for children: drug names
A small organism is not yet familiar with many pathogenic microorganisms that cause various pathologies. In addition to treating the underlying ailment, experts advise paying attention to the child’s immune system. Probiotics and prebiotics will help improve the body's resistance to attacks of pathogenic agents. Also, do not forget about proper nutrition.
In pediatrics, a huge number of drugs are used, which not only have passed preliminary tests, but also have proven themselves on the good side. Parents should consider that to determine by eye which bacteria lack the intestinal microflora, even the most experienced pediatrician is incapable. Therefore, it is first necessary to pass an analysis for dysbiosis, according to the results of which the doctor will prescribe the best probiotics.
For children, only the doctor selects the drugs, because even beneficial bacteria, if used improperly, can harm the body. Most often, for the treatment of dysbiosis, babies are prescribed drops of “BioGaya” (liquid probiotic for children), “Hilak Forte”, “Florin Forte”, “Bifiform”, “Portolak”, “Acipol”, “Lactulose”. To evaluate the result of treatment with probiotic drugs should be in 2-3 months.
For children prone to allergic reactions, it is preferable to give drugs that contain bifidobacteria and lactobacilli: Acylact, Bifidumbacterin Forte. There is a practice of taking probiotics to prevent colds and infectious diseases. The courses of therapy are carried out 2-3 times a year.
Probiotics for newborns
Almost every baby from birth is followed by painful colic and bloating. This is due to the fact that in the intestines of the newborn there are no bacteria, and he has to “get acquainted” with both beneficial and harmful microflora. And if the latter prevails over the former, then there are a lot of unpleasant symptoms that should alert parents. Self-medication in this case is completely excluded.
The main component of therapeutic treatment of various pathological conditions of the digestive tract are probiotics for children. The names of such drugs as "Bifidumbacterin", "Linex", "Probifor", "Lactobacterin" are heard by many parents. For the smallest patients, specialists prefer to prescribe lactose-free probiotics, such as Normoflorin-L, Narine, or Bifiform Baby.
Babies who are fully breastfed do not need additional probiotics, because they get all the necessary beneficial bacteria with breast milk. The first problems may begin with the introduction of complementary foods or after treatment with antibiotics. In this case, a pediatrician should prescribe a drug to normalize the balance of intestinal microflora. Probiotics for children up to a year need to be purchased in liquid form. They are allowed to breed with breast milk, mixture or water. The most popular products in this category are Bifiform Baby (drops), Liveo (drops), Narine Forte, Bifidum BAG, and prebiotic drugs based on lactulose.
Do I need to drink probiotics while taking antibiotics?
For more than half a century, antibacterial drugs have saved the lives of many people from pathogens that provoke the development of terrible ailments. At the same time, they negatively affect the “good” intestinal microflora. Dysbacteriosis is a side effect of antibiotics, which affects both adults and children. Changes in the normal intestinal flora cause unpleasant, and sometimes painful, sensations, the immune system suffers, the digestive process is disrupted, constipation and diarrhea occur.
It is scientifically proven that probiotics for children when taking antibiotics will help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal microflora. For a positive result, it is important to choose the right product, or rather, its dosage form and composition of beneficial bacteria. The most suitable are bifidobacteria in combination with lactobacilli and enterococci. The representative of this composition is the drug "Linex", produced in Slovenia. Many pediatricians prescribe this particular remedy to restore microflora during and after treatment with antibacterial drugs.
How to take probiotics?
In order for the beneficial bacteria contained in probiotic drugs to enter the intestines and maintain their viability, it is necessary to adhere to certain rules for the administration of such drugs. This is especially monitored if probiotics are taken with antibiotics. For children and adults, the recommendations are the same - you need to start restoring microflora from the first day of treatment. In some cases, it is necessary to wait for the end of taking antibacterial drugs and then proceed with probiotic therapy.
It is possible to normalize the balance of intestinal microflora and resume the proper functioning of the digestive system if the following rules for the use of living microorganisms are observed:
1. Most probiotics are taken before meals, an hour after it, or consumed directly during meals. You should first familiarize yourself with the annotation of a specific medicine;
2. The duration of therapy depends on the condition of the patient, the type of prescribed medication and is determined only by the attending physician. Probiotics for children after antibiotics are recommended for intake of 14-21 days, and for the treatment of diarrhea caused by infection, you will need a 7-day course of therapy.
3. During the day, beneficial bacteria are consumed 2-3 times at equal time intervals.
4. With increased acidity, you must first drink a glass of alkaline mineral water, and then drink probiotics.
5. For children of younger age groups, including newborns, it is recommended to purchase live bacteria in liquid form (drops, suspensions). It is also possible to use drugs in capsules.
6. It is forbidden to drink drugs with hot drinks. Probiotics in drops or in suspension can be mixed with the infant formula, breast milk, boiled cooled water and given to children.
7. As a prophylaxis of diseases and for better development, babies are shown the use of probiotic preparations for 2-3 weeks in the autumn-spring period.
Prebiotic "Hilak Forte"
One of the most effective drugs in the treatment of dysbiosis is "Hilak Forte" made in Germany. The composition of the drug includes metabolic products of beneficial bacteria that help develop normal intestinal microflora. Drops are recommended to be taken during and after antibiotic treatment to prevent the development of dysbiosis in children and adults. Also, a prebiotic will help to cope with the problem of constipation and diarrhea against the background of infectious pathologies, eliminate colic and bloating in infants.
The tool can be used from birth. Drops are added to the feed mixture or diluted with boiled water. The dosage for infants is 5-10 drops, babies from 2 years old are allowed to take 20-30 drops of the prebiotic.
"Beefiform Baby"
The drug is very popular both among pediatric doctors and among mothers, whose babies suffer from dysbiosis, digestive tract disorders, increased gas formation. Beefiform Baby tops the list of probiotics for children, despite the fact that the drug belongs to biological additives. The composition of the product includes Streptococcus thermophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. Due to the lack of lactose, the drug can also be used for children with intolerance to the milk enzyme.
The probiotic is released in the form of an oil solution in a convenient bottle with a pipette. In the lid is a powder with beneficial bacteria; it must be turned clockwise so that the suspension gets inside the bottle. After such manipulation, the probiotic is ready for use. According to the instructions, it can be given to the baby before feeding or during meals.
Some auxiliary components can cause side effects in the form of an allergic rash, diarrhea, or constipation. Therefore, without prior consultation with a doctor, it is better not to use the drug.
Probiotic Reviews
Preparations containing live beneficial bacteria are actively used in pediatrics for the treatment of dysbiosis. Many parents have already made sure that probiotics are the best drugs that can restore the normal intestinal microflora, eliminate painful colic and constipation in infants. A positive treatment outcome depends on whether the medicine was chosen correctly. Therefore, you will need to visit a pediatrician, if necessary, pass a sowing for dysbiosis, which will help determine which bacteria are missing for the normal functioning of the digestive system of the crumbs.