Effect of a probiotic milk product on gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in children attending day-care

Network meta‐analysis of probiotics to prevent respiratory infections in children and adolescents

“…All the included studies were randomized controlled trials. This review included twenty‐one trials with 6,603 participants of both sexes, aged 0–18 years. Study sample sizes ranged from 61 to 986.…”

“…Thirteen studies were conducted of healthy children and adolescents, one of premature infants; five involving children and adolescents considered at risk (children attending day care and those hospitalized for reasons other than respiratory infections and three studies of children and adolescents with respiratory tract infections …”

“…Some studies used a mixture of probiotics as an intervention. Fifteen trials evaluated the effect of a single probiotic, five of a combination of probiotics and one study assessed both the effect of isolated probiotics and a probiotic mixture . A study by Raakel Luoto et al including probiotics and prebiotics as intervention was included in the systematic review because the effect of the two interventions was evaluated separately …”

“…The routes of administration employed were probiotic capsule, cow's milk formula supplemented with probiotic, milk supplemented with probiotic, fermented milk supplemented with probiotic, low lactose milk with probiotic, probiotic tablets via a novel slow‐release pacifier, drops of an oil‐suspension containing probiotic, oral suspension of probiotic . Probiotic dosage varied between studies and was measured by cfu (colony forming unit)/day.…”

“…Outcomes described were: sixteen studies evaluated respiratory tract infections, of which four specified the incidence of acute otitis media . Three trials assessed only acute otitis media and two analyzed pneumonia …”