ProbioticsEverything

Constipation in newborns may be helped by probiotics. probiotic drops for baby

Probiotics are a type of bacteria that can help balance out bacterial populations in the intestines, preventing disease-causing bacteria from taking over. Children with constipation have different forms of bacteria in their stool than healthy children, implying that probiotics may assist to alleviate their symptoms. probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

However, the authors claim that there was no conclusive data to support the use of probiotics in children with persistent constipation.

(The researchers employed Lactobacillus reuteri, a bacterium present naturally in the intestines of certain people, in this investigation.) The bug was named after Gerhard Reuter, a German scientist who found it. It’s unknown if that Reuter is connected to Reuters founder Baron Paul Julius Reuter, but Thomson Reuters had no involvement in this research.) probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

The investigators, led by Dr. Paola Coccorullo of the University of Naples “Federico II” in Italy, monitored 44 newborns with persistent constipation who were referred to their pediatrics department. Half of the babies were given an inactive placebo and the other half were given a dose of L. reuteri mixed with a few drops of oil once a day for eight weeks. probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

In addition to babies’ “inconsolable sobbing bouts,” the researchers requested parents to keep track of how often their baby had a bowel movement and the consistency of the feces. probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

It didn’t matter whether a baby was given L. reuteri or the placebo when it came to stool consistency or crying. Both groups improved their stool consistency in general, but later in the trial, they cried more than they did at the start. probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

After two, four, and eight weeks, babies using probiotics had significantly more bowel movements than babies on the placebo, indicating that their constipation had improved. The probiotic babies had less than three bowel movements per week on average at the start of the research. They had an average of nearly five by week eight. probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

According to the findings, which was published online in The Journal of Pediatrics, the probiotic medication had no negative effects.

According to studies, roughly 3% of babies experience constipation before their first birthday, with about a third of them experiencing symptoms for at least six months. When a baby transitions from breast milk to formula or from baby food to solid meals, they may experience constipation. probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

The authors conclude that “probiotics as a natural, safe, and well-tolerated medication may provide a straightforward and attractive alternative” to treat chronic constipation in babies, without going so far as to propose that parents of children with constipation rush to the pharmacy for probiotics. probioticseverything.comprobiotic drops for baby

Dr. Marc Benninga, a pediatric gastroenterologist and dietitian at Emma Children’s Hospital in Amsterdam, who was not involved in the study, emphasized that current procedures should not alter based on this study alone. He told Reuters Health that instead of starting with probiotics, parents should try oral laxatives first. probioticseverything.com

To prevent constipation, some doctors recommend feeding newborns water or extra fiber.

More research into the usefulness of L. reuteri, according to Benning, is needed. The probiotic was provided, as was the placebo, by Noos, an Italian firm that distributes it. Noos also contributed to the costs of publishing the research in the journal.

Probiotics are classified as either a food or a dietary supplement by the FDA. They’re available without a prescription, but retailers aren’t authorized to promote them as cures for certain illnesses.

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