New evidence
Meta-analysis links lactoferrin to 44% lower odds of diarrhea in children — but the trials weren't blinded and the evidence is still thin.
This is the first meta-analysis to suggest lactoferrin may help prevent diarrhea in kids, but because the included studies were unblinded and the overall evidence is still sparse, the result should be considered preliminary.
A new meta-analysis of pediatric studies found that supplementing with lactoferrin was associated with a 44% reduction in the odds of developing diarrhea (OR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.41–0.75). However, the results come from unblinded trials — meaning participants and researchers knew who got the supplement — and the analysis did not find a benefit for upper respiratory infections. Because this is one of the first rigorous looks at lactoferrin for this purpose, the findings need to be confirmed in larger, blinded studies.
Where this fits in the evidence
This is among the first studies we've indexed on Lactoferrin for Reduced Diarrhea — treat it as an early signal until more research accumulates.
The study
- Meta-Analysis
- 2025-01-01
- Biochemistry and cell biology = Biochimie et biologie cellulaire
- PubMed: 39841980
- DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2024-0181
- Full study breakdown →
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