srjmSRJMSRJM2788-9440https://doi.org/10.47310/srjm.2023.v03i02.014Probiotic administration to children and associated serum levels of biochemical compoundsQasimMahmood JaberAljanabiAliAbdulzahra CheyidAlqueemBackground: Probiotics are increasingly considered for pediatric healthcare, but scientific consensus on their effectiveness is lacking. Gut microbiota, crucial for digestion, metabolism and immunity, develop rapidly in early life and are influenced by factors like nutrition. Probiotics could interact with essential nutrients like vitamins A, B12, calcium and vitamin D3, potentially improving child health. However, strain-specificity and long-term effects of probiotics add complexity. The rising trend of "natural" treatments calls for rigorous scientific investigation, especially given ethical concerns about commercial interests in probiotics and supplements. Materials and Methods: The study involved 100 pediatric participants, 60 of whom took probiotics from three different companies while 40 served as a control group. Parents provided detailed data on their children's dietary supplements and a pediatric nurse recorded anthropometric parameters like height, weight and head circumference. Blood samples were collected from each child and analyzed to assess levels of essential nutrients calcium, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin A using various commercial kits and instruments. Results: In a pediatric study involving 100 participants, the use of probiotics showed significant positive health outcomes. Specifically, 66% of children in the probiotic group were found to be healthy compared to just 18% in the control group (Chi-square = 30.159, p = 0.001). However, there were no significant impacts on anthropometric measurements like weight, head size and length (p-values well above 0.05). The study also found statistically significant differences in nutrient levels between groups. Vitamin D, Calcium, Vitamin A and Vitamin B12 levels were all notably higher in the probiotic group, with p-values ranging from 0.002 to 0.001. Furthermore, specific types of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Bifidus, were more effective in influencing nutrient levels. The Pearson correlation matrix revealed strong correlations among anthropometric measures but not between these and nutrient levels, suggesting distinct impacts of probiotics on health outcomes and nutrient absorption. Conclusion: This study strongly advocates for the expanded exploration of probiotics, not merely as an instrument for mitigating disease, but also as a viable avenue for enhancing the absorption or metabolism of essential nutrients in pediatric cohorts. The data intimates that individualized probiotic regimens, tailored to address specific health requisites, could yield optimal results. Moreover, the research emphasizes the imperative for additional investigative work to clarify the underlying mechanisms responsible for these observed effects.