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Evaluating the impact of lactase supplementation on infant colic: Study protocol for a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Kozłowska-Jalowska, A, Stróżyk, A, Horvath, A, Szajewska, H
JPGN reports. 2024;(1):5-9
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Abstract
Infant colic is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder that affects infants during their first months of life. The etiology of this condition remains unclear. However, some studies suggest lactase deficiency may be a contributing factor. Currently, the evidence on dietary treatment and lactase supplementation for management of infant colic is limited. We aim to systematically review evidence on the efficacy and safety of using a lactase supplementation for managing infant colic. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, and EMBASE will be searched to identify randomized controlled trials comparing oral lactase supplementation with placebo or no intervention in infants aged less than 6-month-old with infant colic using any recognized definition. The risk of bias will be assessed using the second version of the Cochrane Collaboration's risk-of-bias tool. The main outcome will be the number of responders in each group after treatment, defined as infants who experienced a decrease in daily crying as reported by the study authors. Additional outcomes will include the duration and frequency of crying episodes, infant sleep duration, parental satisfaction, discomfort of infants, number of hospital admissions, family quality of life, and adverse events during the intervention. The study findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be submitted to relevant conferences.
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Infantile Colic and Long-Term Outcomes in Childhood: A Narrative Synthesis of the Evidence.
Indrio, F, Dargenio, VN, Francavilla, R, Szajewska, H, Vandenplas, Y
Nutrients. 2023;(3)
Abstract
About 1 in 4 infants comes forward with prolonged crying, agitation, or infant colic (IC) during the first three months of life and is referred for medical evaluation. The pathogenesis remains poorly understood, as do its implications for future health. The aim of this narrative review was to critically examine and discuss the available literature on long-term consequences of excessive crying and/or colic. Most studies display an association between IC and the onset of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) years later, probably related to the presence of common etiopathogenetic factors (environmental, dietary, intestinal dysmotility, visceral hypersensitivity). Although allergic disease in first-degree relatives may be a risk factor for IC, the latter does not appear to be a risk factor for subsequent atopic disease in the individual. Overall, there seems to be a relationship between IC and subsequent headaches, of the migraine type. Similarly, behavioral problems in children with a history of IC appear to be associated with higher parental stress scores. However, the current evidence is based on associations, and currently, a causal relationship between excessive crying and IC and long-term consequences remains not documented.
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Recommendations to Improve Quality of Probiotic Systematic Reviews With Meta-Analyses.
McFarland, LV, Hecht, G, Sanders, ME, Goff, DA, Goldstein, EJC, Hill, C, Johnson, S, Kashi, MR, Kullar, R, Marco, ML, et al
JAMA network open. 2023;(12):e2346872
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Abstract
IMPORTANCE Systematic reviews and meta-analyses often report conflicting results when assessing evidence for probiotic efficacy, partially because of the lack of understanding of the unique features of probiotic trials. As a consequence, clinical decisions on the use of probiotics have been confusing. OBJECTIVE To provide recommendations to improve the quality and consistency of systematic reviews with meta-analyses on probiotics, so evidence-based clinical decisions can be made with more clarity. EVIDENCE REVIEW For this consensus statement, an updated literature review was conducted (January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022) to supplement a previously published 2018 literature search to identify areas where probiotic systematic reviews with meta-analyses might be improved. An expert panel of 21 scientists and physicians with experience on writing and reviewing probiotic reviews and meta-analyses was convened and used a modified Delphi method to develop recommendations for future probiotic reviews. FINDINGS A total of 206 systematic reviews with meta-analysis components on probiotics were screened and representative examples discussed to determine areas for improvement. The expert panel initially identified 36 items that were inconsistently reported or were considered important to consider in probiotic meta-analyses. Of these, a consensus was reached for 9 recommendations to improve the quality of future probiotic meta-analyses. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this study, the expert panel reached a consensus on 9 recommendations that should promote improved reporting of probiotic systematic reviews with meta-analyses and, thereby, assist in clinical decisions regarding the use of probiotics.
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Strain-Specificity of Probiotics in Pediatrics: A Rapid Review of the Clinical Evidence.
Jankiewicz, M, Łukasik, J, Kotowska, M, Kołodziej, M, Szajewska, H
Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. 2023;(2):227-231
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The dogma of probiotic strain-specificity is widely accepted. However, only the genus- and species-specific effects of probiotics are supported by evidence from clinical trials. The aim of this rapid review was to assess clinical evidence supporting the claim that the efficacy of probiotics in the pediatric population is strain-specific. METHODS The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases were searched (up to August 2022) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in children aged 0-18 years evaluating the effects of prophylactic or therapeutic administration of probiotics (well-characterized at the strain level) for conditions such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory tract infections, Helicobacter pylori infection, and atopic dermatitis. To allow evaluation of strain-specificity, a trial could only be included in the review if at least one additional RCT assessed the effect of a different strain of the same species against the same comparator. RCTs without proper strain-level data were excluded. In the absence of identifying head-to-head strain versus strain RCTs, indirect comparisons were made between interventions. RESULTS Twenty-three RCTs were eligible for inclusion. Out of the 11 performed comparisons, with 1 exception (two Lacticaseibacillus paracasei strains in reducing atopic dermatitis symptoms), no significant differences between the clinical effects of different strains of the same probiotic species were found. CONCLUSIONS Head-to-head comparison is an optimal study design to compare probiotic strains, but such comparisons are lacking. Based on indirect comparisons, this rapid review demonstrates insufficient clinical evidence to support or refute the claim that probiotic effects in children are strain-specific.
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Systematic review: early feeding practices and the risk of coeliac disease. A 2022 update and revision.
Szajewska, H, Shamir, R, Stróżyk, A, Chmielewska, A, Zalewski, BM, Auricchio, R, Koletzko, S, Korponay-Szabo, IR, Mearin, ML, Meijer, C, et al
Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics. 2023;(1):8-22
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of early feeding practices on the risk of coeliac disease (CD) remain debated. AIMS To update evidence on these practices on the risk of CD and/or CD-related autoimmunity (CDA), defined as anti-transglutaminase or anti-endomysial antibody positivity METHODS We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library to May 2022 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. RESULTS We included 36 publications (30 studies). In the population at genetic risk of developing CD (HLA DQ2/DQ8-positive), exclusive or any breastfeeding and longer breastfeeding duration did not reduce the risk of developing CD/CDA during childhood. While a meta-analysis of four case-control studies showed a decreased risk for CD when gluten was introduced during breastfeeding, this was not shown in RCTs and cohort studies. Age at gluten introduction was not associated with cumulative CD/CDA risk, although two RCTs suggested that earlier gluten introduction was associated with earlier CDA appearance. Evidence from six observational studies suggests that consumption of a higher amount of gluten at weaning and/or thereafter may increase CD risk. There is insufficient evidence to determine the amount of gluten associated with an increased CD/CDA risk. Regarding whether infant feeding practices modulate the risk conferred by different HLA genotypes results were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS For the population at genetic risk of CD, breastfeeding and age at gluten introduction have no effect on its cumulative incidence during childhood. There is some evidence for an effect of the amount of gluten consumed at weaning and/or thereafter on CD/CDA risk.
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Managing food allergy: GA2LEN guideline 2022.
Muraro, A, de Silva, D, Halken, S, Worm, M, Khaleva, E, Arasi, S, Dunn-Galvin, A, Nwaru, BI, De Jong, NW, Rodríguez Del Río, P, et al
The World Allergy Organization journal. 2022;(9):100687
Abstract
Food allergy affects approximately 2-4% of children and adults. This guideline provides recommendations for managing food allergy from the Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA2LEN). A multidisciplinary international Task Force developed the guideline using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II framework and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. We reviewed the latest available evidence as of April 2021 (161 studies) and created recommendations by balancing benefits, harms, feasibility, and patient and clinician experiences. We suggest that people diagnosed with food allergy avoid triggering allergens (low certainty evidence). We suggest that infants with cow's milk allergy who need a breastmilk alternative use either hypoallergenic extensively hydrolyzed cow's milk formula or an amino acid-based formula (moderate certainty). For selected children with peanut allergy, we recommend oral immunotherapy (high certainty), though epicutaneous immunotherapy might be considered depending on individual preferences and availability (moderate certainty). We suggest considering oral immunotherapy for children with persistent severe hen's egg or cow's milk allergy (moderate certainty). There are significant gaps in evidence about safety and effectiveness of the various strategies. Research is needed to determine the best approaches to education, how to predict the risk of severe reactions, whether immunotherapy is cost-effective and whether biological therapies are effective alone or combined with allergen immunotherapy.
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Early Feeding Practices and Celiac Disease Prevention: Protocol for an Updated and Revised Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Szajewska, H, Shamir, R, Chmielewska, A, Stróżyk, A, Zalewski, BM, Auricchio, R, Koletzko, S, Korponay-Szabo, IR, Mearin, L, Meijer, C, et al
Nutrients. 2022;(5)
Abstract
Uncertainty remains in regard to when, how, and in what form gluten should be introduced into the diet, particularly of infants genetically predisposed to developing celiac disease (CD). MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases will be searched from inception. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional studies) investigating the association between early feeding practices and the risk of CD and/or CD autoimmunity will be included. In prospective studies, participants will be infants regardless of the risk of developing CD. For retrospective studies, participants will be children or adults with CD or presenting with positive serology indicative of CD. Interventions will be gluten-containing products of any type. Exposures will be breastfeeding and/or the introduction of gluten-containing products of any type. In control groups, there will be no exposure, different degrees of exposure (partial vs. exclusive breastfeeding, different amounts of gluten, etc.), or a placebo. The primary outcome measure will be CD or CD autoimmunity (i.e., anti-transglutaminase or anti-endomysial antibodies). At least two reviewers will independently assess the risk of bias using a validated risk assessment tool depending on study design. Disagreements will be resolved by discussion to achieve a consensus with the involvement of one or more additional reviewers if required. If appropriate, data will be pooled. If not, a narrative synthesis will be performed. The findings will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
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Early-Life Respiratory Infections in Infants with Cow's Milk Allergy: An Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Recommendations for Future Research.
Fiocchi, A, Knol, J, Koletzko, S, O'Mahony, L, Papadopoulos, NG, Salminen, S, Szajewska, H, Nowak-Węgrzyn, A
Nutrients. 2021;(11)
Abstract
Acute respiratory infections are a common cause of morbidity in infants and young children. This high rate of respiratory infections in early life has a major impact on healthcare resources and antibiotic use, with the associated risk of increasing antibiotic resistance, changes in intestinal microbiota composition and activity and, consequently, on the future health of children. An international group of clinicians and researchers working in infant nutrition and cow's milk allergy (CMA) met to review the available evidence on the prevalence of infections in healthy infants and in those with allergies, particularly CMA; the factors that influence susceptibility to infection in early life; links between infant feeding, CMA and infection risk; and potential strategies to modulate the gut microbiota and infection outcomes. The increased susceptibility of infants with CMA to infections, and the reported potential benefits with prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics with regard to improving infection outcomes and reducing antibiotic usage in infants with CMA, makes this a clinically important issue that merits further research.
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A Low-FODMAP Diet in the Management of Children With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders: A Protocol of a Systematic Review.
Stróżyk, A, Horvath, A, Szajewska, H
JPGN reports. 2021;(2):e065
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Abstract
UNLABELLED The available interventions for the management of children with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPD) are limited. A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is widely used in adults and children with FAPD, despite limited available evidence. We aim to systematically review evidence on the efficacy and safety of using a low-FODMAP diet for the management of children with FAPD. METHODS The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases will be searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare the use a low-FODMAP diet (preferably a 3-step low-FODMAP diet but also only a strict low-FODMAP diet or restriction of individual FODMAPs) with any comparator (i.e., standardized [i.e., average national] or other diet or no intervention) in children with FAPD (regardless of the definition). Each FAPD and each low-FODMAP diet or individual FODMAP restriction will be assessed separately. The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias will be used. The primary outcome will be the abdominal pain intensity. The secondary outcomes will be abdominal pain frequency, stool consistency, other gastrointestinal symptoms, school performance, and psychological functioning associated with FAPD, parent's work absenteeism associated with FAPD of a child, health-related quality of life, compliance, growth, and adverse events. The findings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and submitted to relevant conferences. CONCLUSION This systematic review of rigorous methodological design will update current evidence on the efficacy and safety of using a low-FODMAP diet. However, it may be limited by the quality of the included studies.
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The International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics.
Salminen, S, Collado, MC, Endo, A, Hill, C, Lebeer, S, Quigley, EMM, Sanders, ME, Shamir, R, Swann, JR, Szajewska, H, et al
Nature reviews. Gastroenterology & hepatology. 2021;(9):649-667
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Abstract
In 2019, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) convened a panel of experts specializing in nutrition, microbial physiology, gastroenterology, paediatrics, food science and microbiology to review the definition and scope of postbiotics. The term 'postbiotics' is increasingly found in the scientific literature and on commercial products, yet is inconsistently used and lacks a clear definition. The purpose of this panel was to consider the scientific, commercial and regulatory parameters encompassing this emerging term, propose a useful definition and thereby establish a foundation for future developments. The panel defined a postbiotic as a "preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host". Effective postbiotics must contain inactivated microbial cells or cell components, with or without metabolites, that contribute to observed health benefits. The panel also discussed existing evidence of health-promoting effects of postbiotics, potential mechanisms of action, levels of evidence required to meet the stated definition, safety and implications for stakeholders. The panel determined that a definition of postbiotics is useful so that scientists, clinical triallists, industry, regulators and consumers have common ground for future activity in this area. A generally accepted definition will hopefully lead to regulatory clarity and promote innovation and the development of new postbiotic products.