Biotics in pediatrics : a short overview

This review aims to provide a general overview to the topic of this special issue. We will first define the available categories of biotics, i.e., probiotics, prebiotics, postobiotics and synbiotics, first-actors of therapies that target the gut flora, with the aim to modify it in a given direction, generally with the goal of controlling inflammatory phenomena. We will then treat the points that must be considered when evaluating the results of these interventions, and, specifically, the changes in gut microbiota following the assumption of biotics. This context is typically that of clinical trials aimed at inducing or maintaining remission in pediatric autoimmune inflammatory diseases and that often yield conflicting results. We finally attempt to draft possible research developments for the next years.