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 .
Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in early childhood
Background : Specific probiotic bacteria have proven to be effective in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in early life in at-risk population s. The impact of administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp . lactis BB-12 ( BB-12 ) on the risk of acute infectious diseases was studied in healthy children . Methods : In this double-blind , placebo-controlled study , 109 1-mo-old infants were assigned r and omly to a probiotic group receiving a BB-12–containing tablet ( n = 55 ) or a placebo ( n = 54 ) . Test tablets were administered to the infants twice a day ( daily dose of BB-12 10 billion colony-forming units ) until the age of 2 y with a novel slow-release pacifier or a spoon . Breastfeeding habits , pacifier use , dietary habits , medications , and all signs and symptoms of acute infections were registered in diaries by parents and in question naires by trained professionals . Results : The infants receiving BB-12 were reported to have experienced fewer respiratory tract infections ( RTIs ; 87 vs. 100 % ; risk ratio : 0.87 ; 95 % confidence interval : 0.76 , 1.00 ; P = 0.033 ) than the controls . No significant differences between the groups were observed in reported gastrointestinal symptoms , otitis media , or fever . The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar , as was the duration of breastfeeding . Conclusion : Administration of BB-12 in early childhood may reduce RTIs
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 .