We previously presented the prevalence and predictors of probiotic use among a cohort of healthy four and five-year-old children. In this follow up analysis, we explore the species and strains most commonly used, reasons probiotics are used, perceptions of impact on children’s health, and parental behaviours around probiotic supplementation in children, issues not described to date.

Parents of 4 and 5-year-old children living in the Australian Capital Territory were invited to participate in an observational, cross-sectional study by completing a web-based survey in February-May 2020. Data concerning 481 children were eligible for analysis. Results are presented as simple proportions, with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals where appropriate. 

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis were the most frequently reported species and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus-GG the most frequent strain. The most common reason for administering probiotics to the 228/481 (47.4%) children ever exposed was to promote general health (54%). Half (51%) of parents perceived probiotics had improved their child’s general health, though this was more likely for children who had recently (OR: 2.69, CI: 1.47-4.93) or regularly (OR: 2.92, CI: 1.46-5.85) used probiotics or whose parent recently used probiotics (OR: 2.47, CI: 1.34-4.55). Initial exposure to probiotics occurred before age two years in 65% of the cohort. 

This community-based study suggests that parents use probiotics primarily to improve children’s general health and with modest perceived effect. The long-term effects of early and prolonged exposure to probiotics are not well understood. 

This study contributes new knowledge to an emerging field and provides a baseline for future work.


Nicola Irwin1,2, Marian J Currie2, Deborah Davis2, 3

 
 

1.     Paediatrics, Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, Canberra Health Services, Garran, ACT, 2605

2.     Faculty of Health, University of Canberra Bruce, ACT 2617

3.     ACT Health Directorate, Phillip, ACT, 2606