Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Bifidobacteria is supported by moderate scientific evidence for use in the management of constipation in children. Several randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews have investigated the role of Bifidobacterium species, particularly Bifidobacterium lactis, in pediatric constipation. These studies generally show that supplementation with Bifidobacteria can increase stool frequency, improve stool consistency, and reduce abdominal pain in constipated children compared to placebo. For instance, a 2017 randomized controlled trial published in Pediatrics found that Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173 010 significantly improved stool frequency in children with functional constipation. Similarly, systematic reviews such as the one published in Frontiers in Pediatrics (2021) report that while probiotics including Bifidobacteria may have some benefit, the magnitude of effect is modest and not all studies show significant results. Guidelines from pediatric gastroenterology societies note that probiotics can be considered, but they are not first-line therapy.

Overall, Bifidobacteria is a commonly used probiotic for this purpose, and there is scientific validation for its use, but the evidence is not unequivocal and further large-scale, high-quality trials are needed to establish its efficacy more clearly. Safety profiles are generally good, making it a reasonable adjunct in certain cases, particularly when conventional treatments are insufficient or not tolerated.

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