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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | European Journal of Pediatrics |
| Volume | 177 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| Pages (from-to) | 979-994 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISSN | 0340-6199 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2018 |
Keywords
- Acute otitis media
- Children
- Meta-analysis
- RCT
- Respiratory infections