Effectiveness of the probiotic B. bifidum 1 for the prevention of recurrent respiratory infections in children of 7–11 years old with functional and chronic disorders of gastrointestinal tract

Abstract

Background: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) are a significant public health problem worldwide due to their high incidence and lack of specific prevention for most of them. Previous systematic reviews have demonstrated the possibility to use probiotics to prevent ARI in children. The prophylactic efficacy of the B. bifidum 1 strain in patients with recurrent ARI has not been investigated specifically against the background of concomitant gastrointestinal disorders, which may affect the effectiveness of probiotic therapy. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the sorbed probiotic B. bifidum 1 for prevention of ARI in children of 7 to 11 years of age with functional intestinal disorders or gastritis / gastroduodenitis. Materials and methods : This prospective, randomized, open-label study was completed by 44 children divided into two parallel groups: with and without administration of the sorbed B. bifidum 1 at 5 × 10 7 CFU three times daily for 21 days as a component of a comprehensive sanatorium treatment for recurrent ARI. The children were followed up for three months after the end of the treatment in a winter season, with assessment of frequency, severity and duration of ARI episodes. Results: The use of B. bifidum 1 in children of 7–11 years old with functional and chronic gastrointestinal disorders reduced the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections (relative risk reduction 0.48, 95% confidence interval 0.15–0.68) and mean duration of respiratory diseases by 2.26 days (95% confidence interval 0.23–4.27). It also reduced fever, frequency of cases with cough and the need in antibiotic therapy. The efficacy was related mainly to a decrease in the number of children with more than one ARI episode during the three months of the winter season. Conclusion: The results of probiotics use should be evaluated with consideration of underlying disease, which can more clearly indicate the size of their effect. The use of probiotics for prevention of infectious diseases, including respiratory infections, in children with functional and chronic gastrointestinal disorders can be promising in reduction of the overall morbidity and requires further studies.