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Prophylactic Probiotics for Cold and Flu Symptoms

Probiotics reduced the incidence of cold symptoms and antibiotic use.

Probiotics are thought to have favorable effects on colic, diarrhea, and other medical problems. To examine the effects of probiotics on cold and flu symptoms, researchers conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blind, industry-supported clinical trial involving 326 healthy children (age range, 3–5 years) from a child-care center in China. Children received Lactobacillus acidophilus alone, L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis, or placebo twice daily for 6 months as powder mixed with 4 ounces of 1% milk.

Significantly fewer children in the two probiotic groups than in the placebo group had episodes of fever (28% and 16% vs. 63%, respectively), cough (46% and 29% vs. 84%), or rhinorrhea (55% and 31% vs. 82%) reported by parents or day-care providers during treatment. In addition, significantly fewer children in the probiotic groups received antibiotics (16% and 8% vs. 55%). Although the number of physician visits was similar in the three groups, mean days absent from day care were significantly lower in the probiotic groups than in the placebo group. No notable adverse events were attributed to probiotics.

Comment: These results are almost too good to be true: Prophylactic probiotics substantially reduced the incidence of acute infectious disease symptoms and antibiotic use in children. The mechanism by which orally ingested probiotics would prevent respiratory illness is unclear, although a general immune-enhancing effect has been postulated. Before every child in the U.S. is started on a daily dose of probiotics, these results need to be duplicated in other trials.

— Howard Bauchner, MD

Published in Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine August 26, 2009

Citation(s):

Leyer GJ et al. Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like symptom incidence and duration in children. Pediatrics 2009 Aug; 124:e172. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2008-2666)

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• Probiotics
  Dan S. Lambert, 28 Aug 2009 11:02 PM EST
  Yeah, but hey, what can it hurt to give it the good ol' fashioned empiric trial?