PD949 - KEFIR-DERIVED PROBIOTICS IN NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS: EMERGING EVIDENCE FROM RECENT RANDOMIZED TRIALS

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PD949

KEFIR-DERIVED PROBIOTICS IN NEURODEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS: EMERGING EVIDENCE FROM RECENT RANDOMIZED TRIALS

A. da Silva1,*, G. M. de Oliveira2, M. S. M. Gadelha3, A. C. F. D. F. Santos4, F. V. Zamora5

1Health Sciences , University of Bradford, Bradford, United Kingdom, 2Sports Medicine and Orthopedic, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States, 3Public Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom, 4Medical Sciences, City University of São Paulo , São Paulo, 5Medical Sciences, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

 

Rationale: Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been linked to gut–brain axis alterations. Kefir-derived probiotics have been proposed as microbiota-targeted interventions, but clinical evidence remains limited and inconsistent.

 

Methods: A targeted literature review was conducted including randomized controlled trials (2025–2026) evaluating kefir or kefir-derived probiotic interventions in children with ASD or ADHD. Data on clinical outcomes, behavioral scales, microbiota composition, and adverse events were extracted and narratively synthesized.

Results: Two randomized trials (n=235) were included. In ADHD (n=53), kefir showed no significant overall effect on symptom severity. However, reduced nocturnal wake time was observed versus placebo (p=0.04), alongside increased self-reported sleep disturbances (p=0.02). No changes in microbiota diversity were found, although increases in Bifidobacterium spp. were reported. In ASD (n=182), probiotic groups demonstrated significant within-group improvements in adaptive behavior (Vineland-3) at Days 45 and 90 (p<0.05), with consistent gains across communication, socialization, daily living, and motor domains. Reductions in ADOS-2 and CARS scores were also observed within probiotic groups. However, no significant between-group differences were detected for primary outcomes.

 

Conclusion: Kefir-derived probiotics showed consistent within-group improvements in ASD and mixed findings in ADHD; however, lack of between-group effects limits evidence of clinical efficacy. Further adequately powered randomized trials are needed.

References: DOI: 10.1186/s12887-026-06515-0. PMID: 41547752; PMCID: PMC12961829.

DOI: 10.1186/s12888-025-07568-8. PMID: 41286799; PMCID: PMC12642372.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared