Sharing is caring – a lovely virtue when it comes to our little humans; but when it is dreadful tonsillitis, a cold or a tummy bug, it can be nothing short of a family catastrophe! Whilst these innocent infections can help kids build a strong immune system, evidence shows that frequent infection may be associated with a reduced presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut.[1]
Bacteria and trillions of microorganisms in the digestive tract are known as the gut microbiome. A healthy gut microbiome is essential for a good immune system and to prevent frequent infections. These beneficial microorganisms and bacteria directly affect with the immune system (70% of your immune system resides in the digestive tract), helping to boost the overall immune response against pathogens. In other words, a healthy microbiome helps to build immune function, whilst a compromised microbiome reduces immune system health.
Cultivating the Gut Microbiome
Babies inherit their microbiome initially from passing through the vagina during birth. They also obtain it through skin-to-skin connection and through breast milk. Infants are exposed to a vast array of bacteria species and specific carbohydrate strains (from their mothers’ breastmilk) that will feed these bacteria, allowing a healthy gut microbiome to grow.
Unfortunately, some babies are not exposed to such beneficial bacteria when they are born. Caesarean section, premature birth, poor breast milk production, and antibiotic use may all negatively impact the diversity of the child’s gut microbiome. This has then been shown to cause a reduced immune resilience leading to a much greater chance of developing frequent infections.
This is most obvious when children face one of the greatest challenges on their immune systems, where there is no shortage of germ-sharing… day-care (or school). In addition, children that experience frequent infections, such as ear, chest, throat and/or gut also tend to require a greater number of antibiotic prescriptions; thus, leading to a vicious cycle of poor microbiome health and impaired immune function. Fortunately, research reveals that probiotics may be the key to microbiome recovery; helping to improve digestive health and subsequent immune function.
Probiotics
Probiotics are living beneficial bacteria, which have been shown to offer tremendous beneficial effects on the microbiome and therefore increasing diversity of bacterial species and essential for immune resilience and preventing recurrent infections.
There are several specific bacteria species that have been shown to improve immunity in children.
Table 1: Probiotics strains demonstrated to boost childhood immunity.
| Age | Probiotic bacteria combinations | Effects in children |
| 0-12 months | Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®)Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis (BB12®)Bifidobacterium breve (M-16v)Bifidobacterium longum (BB563) | Helps reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhoea[4] Reduces the need for antibiotics[5] Reduces acute respiratory infections[6],[7] Reduces ear infections[8] Reduces the duration of sore throat symptoms[9] Supports microbiome diversity[10] |
| 12 months – 12 years | Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®)Bifidobacterium lactis (Bi-07) Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM®) | Helps reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhoea[11] Reduces the need for antibiotics[12] Reduces acute respiratory infections[13] Supports microbiome diversity[14] Reduces gastrointestinal discomfort[15] |
Less sickness means more time for play
While the occasional cold or flu is a normal part of growing up, recurrent infections can be a sign that the immune system requires a little extra support. As discussed, resilience against infection relies greatly on the health of the microbiome, with probiotics offering a solution to help boost immunity and resistance to infection.
If you think your child may benefit from an improved gut microbiome, contact Tiaan today.
[1] Man WH, Clerc M, de Steenhuijsen Piters WAA, van Houten MA, Chu MLJN, Kool J, et al. Loss of Microbial Topography between Oral and Nasopharyngeal Microbiota and Development of Respiratory Infections Early in Life. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Mar 18. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201810-1993OC.
[2] Hatakka K, Savilahti E, Pönkä A, Meurman JH, Poussa T, Näse L et al. Effect of long term consumption of probiotic milk on infections in children attending day care centres: double blind, randomised trial. BMJ. 2001 Jun 2;322(7298):1327
[3] Hojsak I, Snovak N, Abdović S, Szajewska H, Misak Z, Kolacek S. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in children who attend day care centres: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trail. Clinical Nutrition 2010;29:312-316
[4] Szajewska H, Kołodziej M. Systematic review with meta-analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children and adults. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Nov;42(10):1149-57.
[5] King S, Tancredi D, Lenoir-Wijnkoop I, Gould K, Vann H, Connors G, et al. Does probiotic consumption reduce antibiotic utilization for common acute infections? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Public Health. 2018 Sep 14. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cky185.
[6] Lau AS, Yanagisawa N, Hor YY, Lew LC, Ong JS, Chuah LO et al. Bifidobacterium longum BB536 alleviated upper respiratory illnesses and modulated gut microbiota profiles in Malaysian pre-school children. Benef Microbes. 2018 Jan 29;9(1):61-70. doi: 10.3920/BM2017.0063.
[7] Arvola T, Laiho K, Torkkeli S, Mykkanen H, Salminen S, Maunula L, et al. Prophylactic Lactobacillus GG reduces antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children with respiratory infections: a randomized study. Pediatr. 1999;104(5):1-4.
[8] Rautava S, Salminen S, Isolauri E. Specific probiotics in reducing the risk of acute infections in infancy-a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Br J Nutr. 2009 Jun;101(11):1722-6.
[9] Lau AS, Yanagisawa N, Hor YY, Lew LC, Ong JS, Chuah LO et al. Bifidobacterium longum BB536 alleviated upper respiratory illnesses and modulated gut microbiota profiles in Malaysian pre-school children. Benef Microbes. 2018 Jan 29;9(1):61-70. doi: 10.3920/BM2017.0063.
[10] Korpela K, Salonen A, Virta LJ, Kumpu M, Kekkonen RA, de Vos WM. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Intake Modifies Preschool Children’s Intestinal Microbiota, Alleviates Penicillin-Associated Changes, and Reduces Antibiotic Use. PLoS One. 2016 Apr 25;11(4):e0154012.
[11] Szajewska H, Kołodziej M. Systematic review with meta-analysis: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea in children and adults. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2015 Nov;42(10):1149-57.
[12] King S, Tancredi D, Lenoir-Wijnkoop I, Gould K, Vann H, Connors G, et al. Does probiotic consumption reduce antibiotic utilization for common acute infections? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Public Health. 2018 Sep 14. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cky185.
[14] Hojsak I, Snovak N, Abdović S, et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in children who attend day care centers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition. 2010 Jun 30;29(3):312-6.
[15] Korpela K, Salonen A, Virta LJ, Kumpu M, Kekkonen RA, de Vos WM. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Intake Modifies Preschool Children’s Intestinal Microbiota, Alleviates Penicillin-Associated Changes, and Reduces Antibiotic Use. PLoS One. 2016 Apr 25;11(4):e0154012.
[16] Lyra A, Hillilä M, Huttunen T, et al. Irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity improves equally with probiotic and placebo. World J Gastroenterol. 2016 Dec 28;22(48):10631-10642.
