PROPHYLACTIC EFFECT OF A PROBIOTIC INTERVENTION IN CHILDREN PRONE TO ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Relevance. Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in children and often progress with secondary complications such as otitis media, bronchitis, or pneumonia, especially in children with recurrent URTIs. Probiotics displayed immunomodulatory effects in children and adults, supporting immune functions to prevent winter diseases or common colds. Objectives. We assessed the effectiveness of a 6-week prophylaxis with probiotics (Lactobacillus helveticus Rosell®-52, Bifidobacterium infantis Rosell®-33 and Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell®-71) for preventing primary infections and/or secondary complications in URTI-prone children. Methods. URTI-prone children were randomly divided into the probiotics (3×109 CFU/day; 6 weeks) or control arm (no preventive intervention). The number of URTIs, duration and related complications were monitored for 6 months. Resistance index, number of medical visits, and antibiotics prescriptions were also recorded. Results. After 2 months, probiotics reduced the number of URTIs (-2.34±0.13 vs -0.24±0.14; P