Probiotics for Children and Teens: What Is Known and Product Cautions
What pediatric bodies and reviews say about probiotics for children and teens, which uses have named-strain evidence, which do not, and cautions about gummies and product quality.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Start here: signs that need a clinician
Probiotics are not a treatment for a child who is unwell. The NHS (UK) says the most important step in diarrhea and vomiting is plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and lists reasons to get urgent advice, including a child under 5 with signs of dehydration such as fewer wet nappies, bloody diarrhea, and diarrhea lasting more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days. [1] It also says not to give medicine to stop diarrhea to children under 12. [1] A child with a weakened immune system, a central line or a serious illness should not be given a probiotic without the treating team's agreement (see Safety below). For babies under 12 months, see Probiotics for Infants and Babies.What the research is about, and a reading rule
Almost every result below belongs to a named strain, a product and a group of children. The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS, 2022) says results varied because of differences in strains, doses, patients and study design. [2] The European pediatric gastroenterology society (ESPGHAN, 2023) made recommendations only where at least two trials of a similar, well-defined strain existed. [3] Do not apply a result from one strain to another product. [4] See Strain Specificity.Evidence by use
| Use in children | What the source found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea | A 2019 Cochrane review (children 0 to 18 years receiving antibiotics) judged a subgroup using high-dose products (5 billion CFU a day or more, as trial amounts) to be credible, with moderate-certainty evidence, and said adverse events were low [5]. It called conclusions about other probiotic agents premature [5]. CPS says Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii can be considered [2]. A later 350-child trial of a multispecies product found no effect on its strict diarrhea definition [6] | Promising but limited; strain-dependent |
| Treating infectious diarrhea | CPS says use to shorten infectious diarrhea is not recommended in Canada, based on North American evidence [2]. ESPGHAN's 2014 paper had named L. rhamnosus GG and S. boulardii as options alongside rehydration [7]; its 2023 paper again made strain-specific recommendations for acute gastroenteritis [3] | Mixed between bodies |
| C. difficile | CPS: use to treat established infection is not recommended [2] | No good evidence for treatment |
| Constipation | NCCIH describes a 2017 review that found no evidence any tested probiotic helped children [4]; a 2022 meta-analysis found no benefit from probiotics or synbiotics [8] | No good evidence of benefit |
| Preventing infections in healthy children | CPS: not yet enough evidence [2] | Insufficient |
| Synbiotics for acute gastroenteritis | ESPGHAN could make no recommendation for or against [9] | Insufficient |
Condition pages: Probiotics for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea, Probiotics for Infectious Diarrhea and Probiotics for Eczema, Food Allergy and Asthma in Children.
Teens
The Cochrane review covers ages 0 to 18 together. [5] Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for teenagers as a separate group or for probiotics marketed for teen acne, mood or sports (we read CPS, ESPGHAN abstracts, NCCIH and Cochrane abstracts). Research on those uses is on Probiotics for Skin, Acne, Oral Health and Other Claims Checked.Frequently asked questions
Can children take probiotics with antibiotics?
Some trials suggest a benefit for certain products, and CPS says L. rhamnosus and S. boulardii can be considered. [2] Results depend on the product, so ask the prescriber or a pharmacist first.
Do probiotics help a child with diarrhea?
CPS does not recommend them to shorten infectious diarrhea in Canada. [2] The NHS puts fluids first and gives warning signs that need urgent advice. [1]
Are probiotic gummies as good as capsules?
Proper evidence not found in the sources we read comparing gummies with capsules in children. NCCIH notes that different types of probiotics may have different effects. [4]
Are probiotics safe for every child?
No. NCCIH says the risk of harm is greater in people with severe illness or weakened immune systems. [4] Ask a clinician before use in any child who is premature, immunocompromised or has a central line.
Do probiotics help constipation in children?
A 2022 meta-analysis found no benefit from probiotics or synbiotics for childhood functional constipation. [8]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
How to read the evidence labels
Labels used on this page: promising but limited, mixed, no good evidence of benefit, insufficient evidence.
Product cautions: gummies, "kids" labels and quality
- In the US, many probiotics are sold as dietary supplements that do not need FDA approval before marketing. [4] In Canada, probiotics are considered natural health products. [2] The NHS says food-type regulation means we cannot always be sure a product contains the bacteria stated on the label. [10]
- CPS says product quality is known to vary widely. [2] NCCIH says some products have been reported to contain organisms not on the label. [4]
- A "kids" or flavored format is a delivery choice, not evidence of benefit. Format questions are on Capsules, Tablets, Gummies, Powders and Liquids, and label checks on How to Read a Probiotic Label. Gummies and other candy-like formats: official safety guidance for storage around children is not described in the sources we read, so treat any supplement like a medicine and keep it out of reach; see Poisoning: What to Do First. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222; call 911 in an emergency.
- Vitamin and mineral questions for the same age group are on Vitamins for Children and Teenagers.
Safety: who needs the treating team first
CPS lists four possible concerns in at-risk individuals: sepsis, metabolic effects, immune effects and transfer of antimicrobial resistance. [2] Cases of sepsis with Saccharomyces and Lactobacillus species have been reported in susceptible children, particularly those who are immunocompromised, have an active malignancy or were born prematurely, and other risk factors include central venous catheters, critical illness and short gut. [2] The Cochrane authors noted that observational studies outside their review reported serious adverse events in severely debilitated or immunocompromised children. [5] CPS also says recommendations should be individualized and made in consultation with families. [2] Tell a pediatrician or pharmacist about every supplement a child takes, especially alongside antibiotics, immune-suppressing medicines or cancer treatment: see Medication Interactions and Probiotic Safety.
References
- NHS (UK). Diarrhoea and vomiting. Read 2026-10-23.
- Schneider R, Sant'Anna A; Canadian Paediatric Society. Using probiotics in paediatric populations. Paediatr Child Health 2022;27(8):482-491. Read 2026-10-23.
- ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications. Probiotics for the management of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders: position paper. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023. PubMed 36219218 (abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- NCCIH (US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health). Probiotics: Usefulness and Safety. Read 2026-10-23.
- Cochrane review. Probiotics for the prevention of pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019. PubMed 31039287 (abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- Multispecies probiotic for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatr 2022. PubMed 35727573 (abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- ESPGHAN Working Group for Probiotics and Prebiotics. Use of probiotics for management of acute gastroenteritis: a position paper. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2014. PubMed 24614141 (abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- Nonpharmacologic treatment for children with functional constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Pediatr 2022. PubMed 34536492 (abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- ESPGHAN Special Interest Group on Gut Microbiota and Modifications. Synbiotics in the management of pediatric gastrointestinal disorders: position paper. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2023. PubMed 35900172 (abstract). Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK). Probiotics (page last reviewed 24 November 2022). Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.