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Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children.

  • 2009-08-01
  • Pediatrics 124(2)

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 112
Population
326 eligible children (3-5 years of age)
Methods
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study; children randomly assigned to placebo, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, or combination of L. acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis Bi-07; treated twice daily for 6 months.
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
6 months
Funding
Unclear
  • Large Human Trial
  • Highly Cited

Objective

Probiotic consumption effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration were evaluated in healthy children during the winter season.

Methods

In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 326 eligible children (3-5 years of age) were assigned randomly to receive placebo (N = 104), Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (N = 110), or L acidophilus NCFM in combination with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis Bi-07 (N = 112). Children were treated twice daily for 6 months.

Results

Relative to the placebo group, single and combination probiotics reduced fever incidence by 53.0% (P = .0085) and 72.7% (P = .0009), coughing incidence by 41.4% (P = .027) and 62.1% (P = .005), and rhinorrhea incidence by 28.2% (P = .68) and 58.8% (P = .03), respectively. Fever, coughing, and rhinorrhea duration was decreased significantly, relative to placebo, by 32% (single strain; P = .0023) and 48% (strain combination; P < .001). Antibiotic use incidence was reduced, relative to placebo, by 68.4% (single strain; P = .0002) and 84.2% (strain combination; P < .0001). Subjects receiving probiotic products had significant reductions in days absent from group child care, by 31.8% (single strain; P = .002) and 27.7% (strain combination; P < .001), compared with subjects receiving placebo treatment.

Conclusion

Daily dietary probiotic supplementation for 6 months was a safe effective way to reduce fever, rhinorrhea, and cough incidence and duration and antibiotic prescription incidence, as well as the number of missed school days attributable to illness, for children 3 to 5 years of age.

Research Insights

  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Antibiotic Use Incidence

    Antibiotic use incidence was reduced, relative to placebo, by 68.4% (single strain; P = .0002) and 84.2% (strain combination; P < .0001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Child Care Absenteeism

    Subjects receiving probiotic products had significant reductions in days absent from group child care, by 31.8% (single strain; P = .002) and 27.7% (strain combination; P < .001), compared with subjects receiving placebo treatment.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Cough Duration

    Fever, coughing, and rhinorrhea duration was decreased significantly, relative to placebo, by 32% (single strain; P = .0023) and 48% (strain combination; P < .001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Cough Incidence

    Relative to the placebo group, single and combination probiotics reduced coughing incidence by 41.4% (P = .027) and 62.1% (P = .005), respectively.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Fever Duration

    Fever, coughing, and rhinorrhea duration was decreased significantly, relative to placebo, by 32% (single strain; P = .0023) and 48% (strain combination; P < .001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Fever Incidence

    Relative to the placebo group, single and combination probiotics reduced fever incidence by 53.0% (P = .0085) and 72.7% (P = .0009), respectively.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Large
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Rhinorrhea Duration

    Fever, coughing, and rhinorrhea duration was decreased significantly, relative to placebo, by 32% (single strain; P = .0023) and 48% (strain combination; P < .001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM→Reduced Rhinorrhea Incidence

    Relative to the placebo group, single and combination probiotics reduced rhinorrhea incidence by 28.2% (P = .68) and 58.8% (P = .03), respectively.

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    Twice daily for 6 months
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