Good Bacteria & Kids

Adequate levels of healthy bacteria may be linked with fewer childhood allergies.

Good or "friendly" bacteria are beneficial bacteria living in the human body. Good bacteria help fight off infection and/or crowd out bad or "unfriendly" bacteria. Some studies suggest that child-onset allergies are related to the lack of friendly bacteria.

Disease-Fighting Capabilities

According to the Health and Social Care division of Northern Ireland, good bacteria can help fight off communicable diseases like meningitis. Many children have these beneficial bacteria in their noses and throats, offering some amount of protection against harmful pathogens like meningococcal bacteria.

Good Bacteria and Allergies

Perth's Princess Margaret Hospital in Australia conducted a study in which probiotics -- a form of good bacteria -- were given twice a day to infants in the first six months of life. Those patients who received the probiotics were half as likely to develop the skin allergy dermatitis, according to Medical News Today. Probiotics may also help treat or prevent problems like infectious diarrhea and atopic dermatitis in infants.

Studies Under Way

As of 2010, studies are under way to determine the relationship of good bacteria to children's risk of food allergies and asthma. Studies are also considering if these bacteria can prevent urinary tract infections in children or improve infant colic symptoms, according to the website Healthy Children.

References

• Health and Social Care of Northern Ireland: Public Health Response to a Case of Meningococcal Disease
• Medical NewsToday: Good Bacteria Reduce Child Allergy Development
• Healthy Children: Probiotics In Formulas