Ouwehand A, Leyer G, Carcano D. Probiotics reduce incidence and duration of respiratory tract infection symptoms in 3- to 5-year-old children. Pediatrics 2008;121; S115.
Introduction
Probiotics are live microorganisms that have a beneficial effect on the host.
Objective
Our aim was to investigate whether consumption of probiotics would be able to reduce symptoms of respiratory tract infections during the winter season.
Methods
Children aged 3 to 5 years were recruited and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups to receive placebo (n = 92), Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (NCFM) (n = 77), or a combination of L acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 (NCFM+Bi-07) (n = 79). Probiotics were consumed daily at a dose of 1010 colony-forming units for 6 months from November to April. The study was performed in Shanghai, China, and approved by the local authorities.
Results
The incidence of fever was reduced by 63% in the NCFM+Bi-07 group and by 48% in the NCFM group. Cough was reduced by 54% in the NCFM+Bi-07 group and by 42% in the NCFM group. Runny nose was reduced by 44% in the NCFM+Bi-07 group and by 9% in the NCFM group; the latter result was not significant. Antibiotic use was reduced by 80% in the NCFM+Bi-07 group and by 68% in the NCFM group. Children in the placebo group had, on average, 6.5 days with symptoms, those in the NCFM group had 4.5 days with symptoms, and those in the NCFM+Bi-07 group had 3.4 days with symptoms.
Conclusions
Daily consumption of NCFM and Bi-07 and of NCFM alone significantly reduced the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infection symptoms in children. The combination of the 2 probiotics tended to perform better than the NCFM alone