When we talk about "intestinal microbiota", we mean that set of microorganisms ( bacteria, yeasts, parasites and viruses ), which populate our intestine and constitute the so-called" bacterial flora " and which perform a series of fundamental functions for the well-being of the organism of large and Yes, even for children, the intestinal microbiota should not be referred to as "only" when you are suffering from colic and dysentery.

When the microbiota of children is altered for various reasons, there is a risk of triggering disorders that can become problematic for their health, among which the most frequent can be viral and bacterial infections, oral and intestinal inflammations, gastric disorders, intolerances, intoxications, atopic dermatitis, up to metabolic disorders, where only the pediatrician will have to and will be able to intervene.

From birth, the child's body is subject to continuous exposure and aggression from external agents, where the immune system is immediately called into action, fed bacterial flora (primarily "donated by the mother" in particular following childbirth natural) that slowly develops.

In fact, they are subject to continuous evolutions, as well as being particularly exposed to aggression by external agents, whose action can only be hindered by a healthy immune system, for which the intestine is a fundamental element to guarantee its correct functioning.

The intestinal bacterial flora, in fact, is a real defensive barrier against pathogens.

In the scientific literature today we are seeing more and more studies relating to the health of the intestinal microbiota related to many other implications regarding the health of our organism, and obviously consequently in recent years numerous studies have been published that demonstrate the positive effects of the so-called "probiotics" . Probiotics are bacterial strains that have the function of keeping the intestinal microbiota in balance, supporting the immune defenses, helping to reduce the symptoms of many pathologies including "extra-intestinal", including some affecting the skin or related to "mental" well-being. Introduced orally, if they manage to overcome all the obstacles of our digestive system intact, from stomach acids, to biliary and pancreatic enzymes, they manage to sneak in and then colonize and coexist peacefully with the bacteria already resident in the intestine, helping them in contrast to "bad" bacteria and prevent their proliferation, but also to produce important enzymes and above all to stimulate the immune system, constituting the natural defensive barrier against the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms from the outside.

In children, the use of probiotics is very useful when intestinal infections of various kinds are present, or in the presence of disturbances in the absorption of nutrients or following antibiotic therapies, which counteract the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria but at the same time can also decrease quantities of good bacteria that populate the baby's intestines, thus causing an imbalance, a dysbiosis.

It is essential that these probiotics arrive "active" in the intestine in order to maintain the correct balance of the microbiota, make the "defensive" system of the child's organism more efficient as well as preventing many intestinal disorders such as fermentation, digestive difficulties, constipation, or diarrhea. acute. Some studies, including a meta-analysis published in the journal "Pediatrics", have observed a shorter duration of colic in the newborn if probiotics are administered, in particular with the "lactobacillus reuteri" strain, commonly prescribed by pediatricians in cases of diarrhea.

Probiotics are food supplements that have no particular contraindications and are generally well tolerated, but they must still be known to choose among the many products on the market, trying to select among the most suitable for children.

In this case, it is important that Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria bacteria already exist in the intestine of the healthy child and arrive intact in the intestine, so they must be conveyed through pharmaceutical and transport forms that keep them as vital and stable as possible (see forms freeze-dried protected from temperatures and humidity) as well as properly stored. These strains must have as support a recognized scientific literature in favor of inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, soothing and protective action in case of intestinal disorders or in case of diarrhea. Among these we find mainly the lactobacillus reuteri, the lactobacillus acidophilus, and the rhamnosus but also a particular yeast with "probiotic" action or the Saccharomyces Boulardii.

After confirming the presence of the indicated bacteria, the indications of the Ministry of Health, to be considered "effective", indicate that probiotic-based products must contain at least 1 billion live cells per strain. In choosing a probiotic-based product, it would be preferable that this product also contains vital substances for the life and action of probiotics, or "prebiotics", organic substances that nourish the precious good bacteria, making them grow, further enhancing their effectiveness.