Probiotics in the Prevention of Infant Infection

Abstract

One of the most studied neonatal interventions includes the role of probiotics in treating infant infections. The use of probiotics in the pediatric field as an emerging area has been discussed in this chapter. The major focus is on the probiotics that are employed at both commercial and research levels for the prevention of various diseases and infections in infants. Major infections affecting an infant’s health have also been discussed. The importance of infant formula as a suitable medium for supplementation has been discussed along with a major focus on the various types of the formula used, its viability, and commercial application. The significance of consumer perception in market stability and the market potential of the intervention together with the challenges for commercialization at a broader level was acknowledged. Along with this, the future application of synbiotic infant formula for the prevention of infection has also been referred. The importance of safety and cost along with the knowledge of adverse side effects of such interventions are also highlighted precisely. Furthermore, discussion on the future scope like addressing the safety issues related to probiotic-based foods, primarily by enlightening the area of paraprobiotics, risks associated with antibiotic resistance in preterm infants was also done.