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01-07-2018 | Review

Probiotics for respiratory tract infections in children attending day care centers—a systematic review

Authors: Rikke Pilmann Laursen, Iva Hojsak

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 7/2018

Abstract

Probiotics have been suggested to have a preventive effect on respiratory tract infections (RTIs), but limited evidence exist on strain-specific effects. The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate strain-specific probiotic effects on RTIs in children attending day care. We included 15 RCTs with 5121 children in day care settings (aged 3 months to 7 years), but due to high diversity in reported outcomes, different number of RCTs were available for evaluated outcomes. Twelve RCTs (n = 4527) reported results which could be compared in at least one outcome of the meta-analysis. Compared to placebo, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) significantly reduced duration of RTIs (three RCTs, n = 1295, mean difference − 0.78 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 1.46; − 0.09), whereas no effect was found on other evaluated outcomes. Based on the results from two studies (n = 343), Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 showed no effect on duration of RTIs or on absence from day care. Meta-analyses on other strains or their combination were not possible due to limited data and different outcome measures.

Conclusion: LGG is modestly effective in decreasing the duration of RTIs. More RCTs investigating specific probiotic strains or their combinations in prevention of RTIs are needed.

What is known: • Previously published systematic reviews have suggested that probiotics may have a preventive effect on respiratory infections, but limited data exist on strain specific effects.
What is new: • This systematic review showed that use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG modestly reduces the duration of respiratory tract infections.

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Title: Probiotics for respiratory tract infections in children attending day care centers—a systematic review
Authors: Rikke Pilmann Laursen
Iva Hojsak
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-018-3167-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Probiotics for respiratory tract infections in children attending day care centers—a systematic review

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

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