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Abstract

Background: The combination of Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 (commercially available as Probi Defendum®) has previously been reported to reduce the incidence, duration and severity of naturally acquired common colds in adults. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of Probi Defendum® on aspects of common cold in healthy children 1-6 years of age attending day care.

Methods: A total of 131 children, out of the planned 320, were recruited into the study during 1 common cold season and randomised to consume once daily either 109 CFU (colony forming units) of the probiotic product or placebo. Due to unforeseen reasons, the recruitment of more children did not continue beyond the first cold season.

Results: There were 106 children that completed the study out of the 131 randomised. Daily consumption of the probiotic product for a period of 3 months significantly reduced the severity of the symptom "nasal congestion/runny nose" with a mean severity score for the whole study period of 7.5 ± 9.7 in the probiotic group and 13.9 ± 15.2 in the placebo (p < 0.05). Moreover, significantly less concomitant medication was used in the probiotic group. When the data were projected to a larger population corresponding to the originally estimated sample size, the results were in favour of the probiotic group regarding the reduced absence from day care (p < 0.05), reduced mean total severity per day in the reported episodes (p < 0.05) and reduced severity of the symptom "crying more than usual" (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Intake of Probi Defendum® once daily for a period of 3 months was beneficial to children and reduced the severity of common colds.

Keywords: Common cold; Lactobacillus paracasei; Lactobacillus plantarum; Probi Defendum®; Probiotic; Respiratory tract infections.

Research Insights

SupplementHealth OutcomeEffect TypeEffect Size
Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 6595Reduced Concomitant Medication UsageBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 6595Reduced Daily Episode SeverityBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 6595Reduced Day Care AbsenceBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 6595Reduced Severity of Excessive CryingBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum DSM 6595Reduced Severity of Nasal Congestion and Runny NoseBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9Reduced Mean Total Severity per Day in Reported EpisodesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD-5209Reduced Concomitant Medication UsageBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD-5209Reduced Crying FrequencyBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD-5209Reduced Day Care AbsenceBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD-5209Reduced Mean Total Severity per Day in Reported EpisodesBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD-5209Reduced Severity of Nasal Congestion and Runny NoseBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD5209Reduced Concomitant Medication UsageBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD5209Reduced Day Care AbsenceBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD5209Reduced Severity of Excessive CryingBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD5209Reduced Severity of Nasal Congestion and Runny NoseBeneficial
Moderate
Lactobacillus plantarum SD5209Reduced Severity of Symptoms Per DayBeneficial
Moderate
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