Conclusion : Based on the available data and taking into account the safety profile of RCTs , probiotic consumption appears to be a feasible way to decrease the incidence of RTIs in children
Background : Respiratory tract infections ( RTIs ) represent one of the main health problems in children .
Probiotics are viable bacteria that colonize the intestine and affect the host intestinal microbial balance .
Accumulating evidence suggests that probiotic consumption may decrease the incidence of or modify RTIs .
The authors systematic ally review ed data from r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) to investigate the effect of probiotic consumption on  RTIs in children .
Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 shortens acute infectious diarrhea in a pediatric outpatient setting.
OBJECTIVE Two r and omized controlled clinical trials have shown that Lactobacillus ( L ) reuteri DSM 17938 reduces the duration of diarrhea in children hospitalized due to acute infectious diarrhea . This was the first trial evaluating the efficacy of L. reuteri DSM 17938 in outpatient children with acute infectious diarrhea . METHODS This was a multicenter , r and omized , single-blinded , case control clinical trial in children with acute watery diarrhea . A total of 64 children who presented at outpatient clinics were enrolled .  The probiotic group received 1 × 10(8)CFU L. reuteri DSM 17938 for five days in addition to oral rehydration solution ( ORS ) and the second group was treated with ORS only . The primary endpoint was the duration of diarrhea ( in hours ) . The secondary endpoint was the number of children with diarrhea at each day of the five days of intervention . Adverse events were also recorded . RESULTS The mean duration of diarrhea was significantly reduced in the L. reuteri group compared to the control group ( approximately 15h , 60.4±24.5h [ 95 % CI : 51.0 - 69.7h ] vs. 74.3±15.3h [ 95 % CI : 68.7 - 79.9h ] , p<0.05 ) . The percentage of children with diarrhea was lower in the L. reuteri group ( 13/29 ; 44.8 % ) after 48h than the control group ( 27/31 ; 87 % ; RR : 0.51 ; 95 % CI : 0.34 - 0.79 , p<0.01 ) . From the 72nd hour of intervention onwards , there was no difference between the two groups in the percentage of children with diarrhea . No adverse effects related to L. reuteri were noted . CONCLUSION L. reuteri DSM 17938 is effective , safe , and well-tolerated in outpatient children with acute infectious diarrhea
Conclusion : Based on the available data and taking into account the safety profile of RCTs , probiotic consumption appears to be a feasible way to decrease the incidence of RTIs in children
Background : Respiratory tract infections ( RTIs ) represent one of the main health problems in children .
Probiotics are viable bacteria that colonize the intestine and affect the host intestinal microbial balance .
Accumulating evidence suggests that probiotic consumption may decrease the incidence of or modify RTIs .
The authors systematic ally review ed data from r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) to investigate the effect of probiotic consumption on  RTIs in children .