Table 1.
Clinical trials of probiotics and their use in the prevention of pediatric upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs)
| 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 |
CFUs: colony-forming units; P: placebo; T: treatment.