SynthesisPloS one2026
Efficacy and safety of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on hemoglobin and anemia in the pediatric population: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- The Gut-Iron-Immune Axis in Severe Anaemia and Bacteraemia.Nutrients · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
aimTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on hemoglobin levels and anemia in the pediatric population.
methodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs). PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched up to August 2025. We included RCTs assessing prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics on hemoglobin or anemia in children. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed, and certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE and minimal important differences. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251108276).
resultsNineteen RCTs involving 4188 children were included. Compared to placebo or standard care, prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics (alone or with iron) showed no important effects on hemoglobin, hematocrit, or ferritin (certainty: high to very low). However, probiotics versus placebo may reduce anemia (1 RCT; RD: --6 per 100; 95% CI: --15 to +6, low certainty). No serious adverse events were reported; observed events were mainly mild gastrointestinal symptoms.
conclusionPrebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics do not provide clinically important benefits on hemoglobin or anemia in children, although they appear safe. Larger, high-quality trials in high-risk populations are needed.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.