Copyright: ©Author(s) 2026. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license. No commercial re-use. See permissions. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc.
World J Clin Pediatr. Sep 9, 2026; 15(3): 118791
Published online Sep 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.118791
Published online Sep 9, 2026. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.118791
Lactobacillus supplementation for Helicobacter pylori eradication in children: A language-inclusive systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy and safety
Vanessa Nadia Dargenio, Sara Ricciardi, Martina Begucci, Giovanni La Grasta, Nadia Maggi, Costantino Dargenio, Stefania Paola Castellaneta, Fernanda Cristofori, Ruggiero Francavilla, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Pediatric Section, Children’s Hospital ‘Giovanni XXIII’, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari 70126, Puglia, Italy
Author contributions: Francavilla R and Cristofori F designed the research study; Begucci M, La Grasta G, Maggi N and Castellaneta SP performed the research; Dargenio VN, Ricciardi S and Dargenio C performed the literature search and wrote the original draft; Francavilla R, Cristofori F, Dargenio VN and Castellaneta SP reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
AI contribution statement: Grammarly was used for language polishing, to correct grammar and improve readability. No AI was used for data analysis or content generation. No portion of the main text was generated by AI. The study design and interpretation of results were performed entirely by the human authors. No images were created using AI tools. The authors assume full responsibility for the originality, accuracy, and integrity of all content, including any portions where AI tools were used for language or formatting assistance. No AI tool was used to replace critical scientific decisions or to generate core scientific conclusions.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
PRISMA 2009 Checklist statement: The authors have read the PRISMA 2020 Checklist, and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the PRISMA 2020 Checklist.
Corresponding author: Fernanda Cristofori, MD, PhD, Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Pediatric Section, Children’s Hospital ‘Giovanni XXIII’, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Bari 70126, Puglia, Italy. fernandacristofori@gmail.com
Received: January 12, 2026
Revised: February 17, 2026
Accepted: May 29, 2026
Published online: September 9, 2026
Processing time: 203 Days and 2.4 Hours
Revised: February 17, 2026
Accepted: May 29, 2026
Published online: September 9, 2026
Processing time: 203 Days and 2.4 Hours
Core Tip
Core Tip: Adjunctive Lactobacillus supplementation significantly enhances Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication rates in children and reduces treatment-related adverse effects. Evidence from this meta-analysis, which includes a substantial number of non-English and Chinese studies, demonstrates that probiotics are particularly effective when combined with standard triple therapy and when administered at higher doses. These findings support Lactobacillus probiotics as a safe, effective, and globally relevant complementary strategy for optimizing pediatric H. pylori treatment.