By: Onubi, Ojochenemi Joy
MBBS, MSc International Health and Management
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Introduction
Aim and Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusion and Recommendations
References
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Optimal child growth is important for children
reach their full cognitive and social potential
Under-nutrition in children is manifested as
underweight, stunting and wasting.
In 2011, the WHO estimated that globally,
25% of under-five children are undernourished
18% are under-weight while 28% are stunted.
The majority of these children reside in Africa
and Asia .
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MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and
hunger – some improvement
MDGs 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
In Guatemala and Zimbabwe, food
supplementation during early childhood
improved schooling in men and women
height-for-age: 1 Z score was associated with
an 8% increase in income in Brazil and
Guatemala as well as with an increase of
0·27 household assets in India
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Probiotics are live micro-organisms which
confer a health benefit on the host when they
are consumed in adequate amounts.
The dietary intake of probiotics may lead to
improved growth in children and therefore
help in reducing the prevalence and
magnitude of under-nutrition.
↓ Diarrhoea
↑ absorption of
nutrients
GROWTH
PROBIOTICS
↑
Immunity
Growth Hormone
stimulation
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Aim: To systematically review the available
evidence on the effects of probiotics on the
growth of children.
Objectives:
i) To determine the effect of probiotics on the
growth of healthy young children
ii) To determine the effect of probiotics on
the growth of undernourished children
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Three electronic databases were searched
using inclusion and exclusion criteria
MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central
Register of Controlled Trials
Reference lists were also searched.
Outcome measure was change in growthweight, height/length
Analysis was by a narrative synthesis of
results
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Eleven studies were included in the review
- Seven healthy children studies
- four under-nourished children studies
The studies varied in type and quantity of
probiotics, duration of interventions,
characteristics of participants and units of
outcome measurement.
Four studies found that probiotics lead to an
increase in growth of children
35
Weight gain (grams/day)
30
25
20
Probiotic Group
15
Control
other Intervention
10
5
0
Firmansyah
et al
Scalabrin et Gibson et al. Zeigler et al
al
Puccio et al
Huet et al.
Saavedra et
al.
Studies
Weight gain (grams/duration of study)
2,500
2,000
1,500
Probiotic group
1,000
Control
500
0
He et al
Saran et al
Sazawal et al
Studies
Kerac et al
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Consistent improvement in growth of children
in low income settings
Availability and cost: Use of locally sourced,
cheap probiotic substance
Acceptance
Adverse effects
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The dietary intake of probiotics seems to be
effective in improving the growth of children
in developing countries.
May contribute to the pace of achieving MDGs
However, there is a need for more quality
research studies on the effects of probiotics
on growth- different probiotics, age groups,
settings, explore local sources
Thomas DW, Greer FR, Bhatia JJS, Abrams SA, Daniels
SR, Schneider MB, et al... Clinical report - Probiotics and
prebiotics in pediatrics. Pediatrics 2010 December
2010;126(6):1217-1231
Braegger C, Chmielewska A, Decsi T, Kolacek S,
Mihatsch W, Moreno L, et al... Supplementation of infant
formula with probiotics and/or prebiotics: A systematic
review and comment by the ESPGHAN committee on
nutrition. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2011 February
2011;52(2):238-250
Steenhout PG, Rochat F, Hager C. The effect of
bifidobacterium lactis on the growth of infants: A
pooled analysis of randomized controlled studies.
Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2009 December
2009;55(4):334-340.
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