Table 1 Clinical trials of probiotics and their use in the prevention of pediatric upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)
From: Do children’s upper respiratory tract infections benefit from probiotics?
Author, year of publication, country | Age range | No. of subjects | Types of probiotic | Main results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Caceres et al. [15], 2010, Chile | 1-5 years | 398 (203 T, 195 P) | Milk-based product, L. rhamnosus HN001, about 108 CFUs/mL | Non-significant reduction of the number of URTIs per child between groups |
Hatakka et al. [16], 2007, Finland | 10 months-6 years | 309 (155 T, 154 P) | Gelatine capsule, a combination of L. rhamnosus GG, ATCC 53103, L. rhamnosus LC 705, Bifidobacterium breve PP, Propionibacterium freudenreichi spp. shermanii IS, 8–9 × 109 CFUs of each strain/capsule | Probiotics did not prevent the occurrence of acute otitis media or the nasopharyngeal carriage of otitis pathogens in otitis-prone children; a reduction in the frequency of recurrent respiratory infections was also noted |
Hojsak et al. [17], 2010, Croatia | 13 months-7 years | 281 (139 T, 142 P) | Fermented milk product, L. rhamnosus strain GG, 109 CFUs | L. rhamnosus GG decreased the risk of nosocomial gastro-intestinal and respiratory tract infections in pediatric facilities |
Hojsak et al. [18], 2010, Croatia | >12 months | 742 (376 T, 366 P) | Fermented milk product, L. rhamnosus strain GG, 109 CFUs | L. rhamnosus GG decreased the risk of upper respiratory tract infections in children attending day care centres |
Merenstein et al. [19], 2010, USA | 3-6 years | 638 (314 T, 324 P) | L. casei DN-114 001/CNCM I-1518 (also called L. paracasei subsp. paracasei in the current nomen-clature), 1 × 108 CFUs/g, Streptococcus thermophilus and L. bulgaricus, 10 × 7 CFUs/g | Probiotics reduced the overall incidence of common infectious diseases |
Rautava et al. [20], Finland | 0-2 months | 81 (38 T, 43 P) | L. rhamnosus and B. lactis BB-12, 1 × 1010 CFUs | Probiotics reduced the risk of early acute otitis media, antibiotic use and recurrent respiratory infections during the first year of life |
Rio et al. [21], 2009, Argentina | 6-24 months | 100 (50 T, 50 P) | Fermented milk products, L. acidophilus and L. casei, 107 to 108/mL | Live Lactobacillus supplement suppressed pneumonia and decreased bronchitis in both undernourished and normal subjects |