Effects of <i>Bifidobacterium longum</i> 35624 in Children and Adolescents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and vitamin D deficiency are common among children in Latin America. Previous studies show that Bifidobacterium longum35624TM improves IBS symptoms in adults. This real-world, single-arm, open-label study conducted in Chile investigated the effects of B. longum 35624 (1 × 109 colony-forming units, 12 weeks) on gastrointestinal symptoms (adapted IBS severity scoring system [IBS-SSS]; adapted Questionnaire on Pediatric Gastrointestinal Symptoms [QPGS], and Bristol Stool Form Scale) in 64 children and adolescents (8–18 years) and explored the relationship with baseline vitamin D status. Improvements in all IBS-SSS domains and composite score were observed at week 6 and 12 (p p p = 0.0005) and 12 (p = 0.02). B. longum 35624 may improve IBS symptoms in children and adolescents, even those with vitamin D deficiency. A confirmatory randomized controlled trial and further exploration of probiotic response and vitamin D status are needed.

Keywords

• bifidobacteria
• disorders of gut–brain interaction
• irritable bowel syndrome
• probiotics
• pediatrics