Effect of bovine colostrum supplementation on gut health of children: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the impact of bovine colostrum (BC) on the gut health of the pediatric population.

METHODOLOGY

The systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis guidelines 2020. Full-text articles such as randomized control trials, cohort prospective studies, and pilot studies were identified from the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, ProQuest, Clinicaltrial.gov, and Cochrane. After assessing for inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies were finally included and assessed for quality using the Effective Public Health Practice Project scale.

RESULTS

Some studies reported a positive impact of BC on the duration and frequency of diarrheal infection in children, but the overall clinical benefits of BC in the gut health of children remain inconclusive. The studies were heterogeneous with regard to methodology, dose, form of BC used, and outcomes studied; hence, a meta-analysis could not be performed in terms of outcomes assessed.

CONCLUSION

No conclusion can be drawn regarding the clinical benefits of BC in the gut health of children. Further studies are needed in the pediatric population using BC as an intervention for a variety of gastro-intestinal problems.