Effect of Probiotic on Gut Microbiota in Young Children With Functional Constipation

This study was a 28-day, open-label, randomized controlled trial involving infants and toddlers diagnosed with functional constipation. Participants were randomized to receive either Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum Dipro-X, lactulose, or a combination of both. The primary clinical outcomes assessed were bowel movement frequency, stool consistency, and defecation difficulty. To investigate potential mechanisms, stool samples were collected pre- and post-intervention for 16S rRNA gene sequencing to analyze changes in gut microbiota composition and identify specific bacterial taxa associated with clinical improvements.