The Human Microbiome and Probiotics in Pediatrics

Essentially, probiotics (microbes that are beneficial) have a role in the modulation of the human immune responses, provision of a number of key nutrients in human metabolism and most importantly; they play a paramount role in the prevention of proliferation and associated virulence of the harmful and infectious micro-organisms. Further, in the description of the human microbiome, the composition of the same is imagined to be dynamic and in a constant state of flux. This serves a role in the explanation of the dynamic interplay that exists between the probiotics, the pathogens and the host that is the human body. Introduction The knowledge gained from the study of the probiotics can be applied in the treatment and control the gastrointestinal and genitourinary diseases in pediatrics.

Further, probiotics as they are understood, can ideally regulate systemic and local immunity; which in effect reduces the incidence of hypersensitivity, atopic diseases and the severity of the allergic diseases in children and infants. The human body as the research showed has been known to be a microbiome consisting numerous microorganisms both inside and on the human body. These microorganisms have a huge impact on the body including boosting the immune system and suppressing virus attacks. The microbiome organisms were found to have the ability to prevent and treat diseases pediatric gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems. Discussion Under normal circumstances, the gastrointestinal tract (human) contains dynamically complex composition of micro-organisms. Preliminary research places the number to be between 900 and 1000 different bacterial species living within the human GIT alone.

This is closely associated with nutritional status of the host and exposure to new elements including antibiotics and vaccines. By the age of one week old, microbial populations in infants have been demonstrated to be among the most complex recorded in human beings. While there are major fluctuations to be experienced during this period (due to environmental factors exposed to); equilibrium and stability is established by the achievement of one year of age. Studies also confirm that the accumulation of beneficial microbes by humans starts intrauterine, and continues actively throughout one’s life; however, at fluctuating rates. The overall composition varies from individual to individual and this is often influenced by the environment a number of physiological process involving the GIT.

Further, in the control of a number of conditions relating to the GIT, probiotics have proven successful; and this includes such conditions such as Helicobacter pylori infections; in which a number if clinical trials confirmed that the introduction of a number of probiotic strains improved the tolerability of the infection. Probiotics can be applied in many ways in the control of GIT illnesses in infants; as opposed to the reliant on antibiotics. Antibiotics essentially have the long-term effect of altering the microbial composition of the GIT, which may have other implications such as increased vulnerability to attack by a number of microorganisms. While the studies conducted in adults show conflicting results, the applicability of probiotics especially in infants shows unlimited potential for success as an alternative measure to the reliance on antibiotics and chemical agents.