Background: the intestinal microbiota, a complex community vital to human health, is shaped by microbial competition and host-driven selective pressures. Among these microbes, Bifidobacterium plays a crucial role in early gut colonization during neonatal stages, where Bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis (B. infantis) predominates and is particularly prevalent in healthy breastfed infants. Objectives: as we embark on a new era in nutrition of the pediatric population, this study seeks to examine the existing understanding regarding B. infantis, encompassing both preclinical insights and clinical evidence. Methods: through a narrative disceptation of the current literature, we focus on its genetic capacity to break down various substances that support its survival and dominance in the intestine. Results: using “omics” technologies, researchers have identified beneficial mechanisms of B. infantis, including the production of short-chain fatty acids, serine protease inhibitors, and polysaccharides. While B. infantis declines with age and in various diseases, it remains a widely used probiotic with documented benefits for infant and child health in numerous studies. Conclusions: the current scientific evidence underscores the importance for ongoing research and clinical trials for a deeper understanding of B. infantis’s role in promoting long-term health.

INTRODUCTION: In different countries, the exact prevalence of people that refer symptoms after gluten ingestion is increasing and the unavailability of reliable laboratory tests to diagnose the condition known as nonceliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) has opened the door to the spread of survey-based studies to hypothesize a prevalence of this condition with highly discordant results. We aim to describe the attitude toward gluten consumption in a large population of young adults in Italy. METHODS: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 Italian cities to investigate the dietary attitudes of more than 9,400 people distributed throughout the country about gluten consumption. Only those referring to gluten-related symptoms with a frequency equal to “always” or “most of the time” were considered self-reported NCGS (SR-NCGS) patients. RESULTS: Five thousand two hundred thirty-four of 9,432 eligible participants (55.5%) fully completed the questionnaire. Excluding those with previous gastrointestinal diagnoses of celiac disease and wheat allergy, we have finally analyzed 4,987 questionnaires. Four hundred eighty-seven participants indicated gluten-related symptoms always or most of the time (SR-NCGS subjects), while 121 already had a medical diagnosis of NCGS. The minimum prevalence figure of SR-NCGS is 6.4% (95% confidence interval 6.0–6.9), with a higher prevalence in women (79.9%). The most frequent gluten-related symptoms were bloating, abdominal pain, and tiredness. DISCUSSION: The high prevalence of people reporting symptoms after gluten ingestion requires that the diagnosis of NCGS should be ascertained with a double-blind controlled study to limit the number of people who improperly approach a gluten-free diet.

Background/Objectives: The efficacy of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) on the induction of remission of Crohn’s disease (CD) has been demonstrated with different diets (elemental, semi-elemental, and polymeric). A narrative review was conducted to assess the effects of different enteral diets in pediatric CD patients, considering the hypothesis that manipulating the nutritional key ingredients may enhance the clinical efficacy. Methods: An extensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, covering all records published up to 27 July 2025. Both pediatric and adult studies were considered, and nutritional composition was compared with remission rates. Results: Twelve studies involving patients with active CD treated with EEN were found. Most studies were conducted with polymeric diets (n = 8), which achieved a high remission rate (up to 85%), thus confirming their advantage over other EEN diets. Conclusions: EEN with polymeric diets satisfies the need to revert the acute inflammation in most pediatric CD patients. Polymeric formulas have two advantages: (a) they contain transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), which exerts anti-inflammatory effects on intestinal epithelial cells, and (b) they have a mixed-fat composition, including saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as well medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which provides better results than EEN diets enriched with single-fat components. However, pathophysiological evidence shows gut microbiota alterations after EEN begins, despite clinical improvement. So, a potential strategy to enhance the efficacy of polymeric diets may be fiber enrichment.