Final answer:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is most effective in treating infectious diarrhea in children, as it helps to restore the disrupted gut microbiome balance and provides gastrointestinal infection prevention by outcompeting harmful pathogens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a probiotic strain, in pediatric practice has been found to be most effective in treating infectious diarrhea. This is because probiotics can help restore the balance of the gut microbiome, which can be disturbed by antibiotic treatment, leading to antibiotic-associated diarrhea. The gastrointestinal infection prevention capabilities of probiotics like Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG involve competitive exclusion of pathogens like Clostridium difficile by good gut bacteria which form part of the indigenous microbiome. Therefore, they play a crucial role in maintaining gastrointestinal health and preventing infections.
It is essential to note that while probiotics are associated with positive health benefits, not all strains have the same effects. For specific conditions other than infectious diarrhea, such as reducing the incidence of NEC, prolonging time to remission in children with Crohn’s disease, or eradicating Helicobacter pylori infection, further research and clinical evidence are needed to substantiate their effectiveness.