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 GG in the Prevention of Nosocomial Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Tract Infections
OBJECTIVE : The incidence of nosocomial infections , predominantly gastrointestinal and respiratory , in children in developed countries is high , ranging from 5 % to 44 % . There is no effective strategy for preventing these infections . The objective of our study was to investigate the role of Lactobacillus GG ( LGG ) in preventing nosocomial gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections at a pediatric hospital . METHODS : We conducted a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled trial of 742 hospitalized children . They were r and omly allocated to receive for their hospitalization LGG at a dose of 109 colony-forming units in 100 mL of a fermented milk product ( LGG group , n = 376 ) or placebo that was the same postpasteurized fermented milk product without LGG ( placebo group , n = 366 ) . RESULTS : In the LGG group , compared with the placebo group , we found a significantly reduced risk for gastrointestinal infections ( relative risk [ RR ] : 0.40 [ 95 % confidence interval ( CI ) : 0.25–0.70 ] ; number needed to treat : 15 [ 95 % CI : 9–34 ) ] , respiratory tract infections ( RR : 0.38 [ 95 % CI : 0.18–0.85 ] ; number needed to treat : 30 [ 95 % CI : 16–159 ] ) , vomiting episodes ( RR : 0.5 [ 95 % CI : 0.3–0.9 ] ) , diarrheal episodes ( RR : 0.24 [ 95 % CI : 0.10–0.50 ] ) , episodes of gastrointestinal infections that lasted > 2 days ( RR : 0.40 [ 95 % CI : 0.25–0.70 ] ) , and episodes of respiratory tract infections that lasted > 3 days ( RR : 0.4 [ 95 % CI : 0.2–0.9 ] ) . Groups did not differ in hospitalization duration ( P = .1 ) . CONCLUSIONS : LGG administration can be recommended as a valid measure for decreasing the risk for nosocomial gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in pediatric facilities
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 .