Serum immunoglobulin levels in children with respiratory infections who used a synbiotic dietary supplement

Abstract

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and the optimal time of supplementation with synbiotic in atopic children with common respiratory and/or ear infections. Methods. We recruited inpatients children with frequent respiratory infections and/or inflammation of the ear and analyzed pretreatment and post-treatment level of immunoglobulins using repeated measures analysis. Results. Hospitalized children are old averaging 19 months, all had deficiency of IgA, 58% showed deficiency of IgG, 81% are the atopics and at the same time, suffer from respiratory infection (pneumonia 45%, middle ear infection 26%, pharyngitis 74%) and concomitant diseases (anemia 26%, enlarge adenoids 6%, eczema13%, wheezing bronchitis16%, asthma 42%, urticaria 3%). After 3 months treatment by synbiotic level of IgA increased for 1.8 times up from 0.33±3.42 g/l to 0.6±0.78 in 35% children and after 6 months increased for 3.9 times up to 1.3±1.76 in 81% children (t=0,43, p<0,05). Conclusion. Optimal duration of supplementation with synbiotic to reduce the risk of common infectious disease, in young, atopic children, is at least 6 months although achieved clinical improvement after 3 months.