Functional Medicine in Pediatrics: What It Is, What It’s Not, and Why It Matters

For pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician associates, and allied pediatric professionals curious about functional medicine and how it complements conventional care.

What Is Functional Medicine?

Functional medicine is a systems biology–based approach to healthcare that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of health concerns.

Core principles:

• Personalized care: Every child is biochemically unique.

• Systems thinking: Health and disease arise from complex interactions between genetics, microbiome, immune function, nutrition, environment, and psychosocial factors.

• Root cause focus: Functional medicine investigates why a condition arises, not just what diagnosis applies.

• Lifestyle and environment: Sleep, diet, stress, environmental exposures, and relationships are seen as central to health.

• Evidence integration: Functional medicine applies insights from peer-reviewed research across microbiology, immunology, neurology, toxicology, and nutrition sciences.

Certified functional medicine providers complete rigorous postgraduate training, clinical case reviews, and board-level exams — it is a discipline grounded in both science and clinical excellence.

What Functional Medicine Is Not

• It is not anti-medicine or anti-vaccine.

• It is not alternative or fringe medicine.

• It is not supplement-focused or “detox” fads.

• It does not replace conventional care like antibiotics, surgery, or emergency management.

At its best, functional medicine integrates conventional tools with a broader, upstream lens focused on prevention, chronic care, and resilience.

How Functional Medicine Is Utilized

Functional medicine providers often:

• Evaluate gut health, nutrient status, mitochondrial function, environmental exposures, immune regulation

• Apply lifestyle, nutrition, and environmental interventions alongside standard treatments

• Support management of:

  • Recurrent infections, eczema, asthma

  • ADHD, anxiety, mood dysregulation

  • Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

  • PANS/PANDAS and autoimmune syndromes

  • Gastrointestinal disorders (IBS, constipation, reflux)

They work collaboratively with pediatricians, sharing labs, progress, and care plans, not as an alternative but as a complement.

Why Functional Medicine Matters

Because the pediatric health landscape is shifting:

• 1 in 5 U.S. children has obesity (CDC, 2022)

• 1 in 36 is diagnosed with ASD (CDC, 2023)

• 20% of children experience mental health disorders (JAMA Pediatr, 2019)

• Autoimmune diseases in children are increasing worldwide (J Autoimmun, 2021)

Many of these conditions lack a singular cause or curative drug — functional medicine focuses on upstream, modifiable contributors: inflammation, microbiome dysregulation, metabolic stress, environmental load.

Scientific Foundations: Evidence-Based

Gut–Brain–Immune Axis & Lipopolysaccharides (LPS)

• LPS from gram-negative bacteria can cross a compromised gut barrier, triggering systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation.

• Animal and human studies link elevated LPS to microglial activation, neurodevelopmental challenges, and autism-like behaviors.

Key references:

• Cryan JF, et al. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2019;20(2):69–81.

• Zhang Y, et al. Front Immunol. 2022;13:835.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction

• Mitochondrial abnormalities are well-documented in subsets of children with ASD, ADHD, and chronic fatigue, contributing to multisystem symptoms.

Reference:

• Rossignol DA, Frye RE. Transl Neurodegener. 2012;1(1):12.

Micronutrient Deficiencies

• Iron, zinc, B vitamins, and omega-3s are essential for neurodevelopment.

• Deficiencies are linked to ADHD, mood disorders, anxiety, and cognitive delay.

References:

• Richardson AJ, Montgomery P. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46(6):680–690.

• Sonuga-Barke EJ, et al. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170(3):275–289.

Environmental Toxicants

• Lead, mercury, pesticides, and endocrine disruptors are associated with neurodevelopmental delay, ADHD, and immune dysfunction.

References:

• Grandjean P, Landrigan PJ. Lancet Neurol. 2014;13(3):330–338.

• Bellinger DC. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4 Suppl):1016–1021.

Case Examples

Recurrent Infections & Gut Restoration

• A 5-year-old with recurrent otitis, eczema, antibiotics, and GI symptoms.

• Functional approach: gut repair, diet modifications, microbial support.

• Outcome: fewer infections, improved skin, stabilized mood.

ADHD with Sleep and Anxiety Challenges

• A 10-year-old on stimulants with anxiety, insomnia, poor appetite.

• Functional approach: micronutrient repletion, blood sugar regulation, sleep optimization.

• Outcome: improved focus, reduced anxiety, better sleep.

ASD with GI and Eczema Symptoms

• A 4-year-old with ASD, constipation, eczema, sensory sensitivity.

• Functional approach: address gut permeability, balance fatty acids, reduce immune triggers.

• Outcome: improved stooling, less eczema, calmer sensory responses.

Who Practices Functional Medicine?

Certified providers come from diverse backgrounds: MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs, DCs, RDs.

Training includes:

• Advanced coursework (e.g., through the Institute for Functional Medicine)

• Clinical case submissions

• Board examination

• Ongoing CME requirements

This ensures practice is rigorous, ethical, and science-based.

Why Should Conventional Providers Care?

• Parents are asking. Respectful, informed dialogue builds trust.

• Science is advancing. Emerging evidence across microbiome, neuroimmune, and metabolic fields supports integrative approaches.

• Chronic conditions are rising. We need tools beyond prescriptions.

• Collaboration works. Functional and conventional providers working together offer children the best chance at lasting health.

About the Author

I am a board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner and a certified functional medicine provider practicing in the state of Florida.

With over 10 years of experience in conventional pediatric medicine and the past five years dedicated to advanced functional medicine training and implementation, I have devoted my career to transforming pediatric care. My passion is helping families uncover the root causes of chronic conditions, restore health, and create a generational legacy of wellness.

I believe that health is the true heirloom™ — and that by combining the best of conventional medicine with the depth of functional medicine, we can change children’s lives for generations to come.

If you are a healthcare professional interested in learning more, collaborating, or referring patients, I invite you to connect. Together, we can build a future of truly integrative pediatric care.

References

• Cryan JF, et al. The microbiota–gut–brain axis. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2019;20(2):69–81.

• Zhang Y, et al. Lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation and autism. Front Immunol. 2022;13:835.

• Rossignol DA, Frye RE. Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders. Transl Neurodegener. 2012;1(1):12.

• Richardson AJ, Montgomery P. Fatty acid supplementation in developmental coordination disorder. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2005;46(6):680–690.

• Sonuga-Barke EJ, et al. Nonpharmacological interventions for ADHD. Am J Psychiatry. 2013;170(3):275–289.

• Grandjean P, Landrigan PJ. Neurobehavioural effects of developmental toxicity. Lancet Neurol. 2014;13(3):330–338.

• Bellinger DC. Lead neurotoxicity in children. Pediatrics. 2004;113(4 Suppl):1016–1021.