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Nutraceuticals and biotics in pediatric gastrointestinal disorders

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 78, pages 87–98 (2024)Cite this article

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A Correction to this article was published on 19 December 2023

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Abstract

In recent years there has been growing interest in the use of nutraceuticals and biotics in both pediatric and adult clinical practice. The overlapping and often ambiguous symptoms of both functional and organic gastrointestinal disorders have led to a search for alternative therapeutic approaches that avoid the use of synthetic or chemical treatments. However, while nutraceuticals and natural supplements are widely used, their health benefits are often not supported by adequate scientific evidence, and an unregulated use of nutraceuticals can be potentially harmful. The correct use of nutraceuticals, prebiotics, and probiotics can optimize the results of drug therapy in some cases and reduce the risk of side effects. This review aims to provide clinicians with guidance on the use of complementary therapies for pediatric gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, highlighting the scarcity of studies on the kinetics and dynamics of nutraceuticals and biotics. While it is generally difficult to associate their intakes with adverse events due to the often-coexisting pharmacological treatments, it is essential to avoid the abandonment of traditional drugs with proven efficacy in the treatment of single diseases. Overall, the use of nutraceuticals, prebiotics, and probiotics in pediatric gastroenterological practice requires caution and medical supervision. Further research is needed to determine the effects of alternative therapies on pediatric gastrointestinal symptoms and disorders, and to ensure their safe and effective use in the clinical practice.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Antonio Corsello, Lorenzo Scatigno.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children’s Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Antonio Corsello, Lorenzo Scatigno, Giulia Fiore, Stefano Baresi, Francesca Eletti, Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Dario Dilillo & Elvira Verduci

  2. Department of Health Science, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Giulia Fiore & Elvira Verduci

  3. Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy

    Gianvincenzo Zuccotti

  4. Department of Woman, Child and General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, Naples, Italy

    Caterina Strisciuglio

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EV and DD conceived and designed the review; methodology, LS and AC; validation, EV, GZ, CS and DD; formal analysis AC and GF; AC, LS, FE, GF, CS and SB wrote the original draft; EV, GZ and DD provided guidance in the manuscript revision. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Corsello, A., Scatigno, L., Fiore, G. et al. Nutraceuticals and biotics in pediatric gastrointestinal disorders. Eur J Clin Nutr 78, 87–98 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-023-01362-z

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