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 .
Randomized controlled trial of probiotics to reduce common cold in schoolchildren.
BACKGROUND The common cold is responsible for the largest proportion of school and work absenteeism and causes a huge economic burden . None of the current interventions is greatly effective for prevention . Our aim was to assess the efficacy of a two-strain combination probiotic for prevention of common cold symptoms in healthy schoolchildren . METHODS A double-blind r and omized controlled trial was performed during the winter season in a public school of central Thail and . Children , aged 8 - 13 years , were r and omized to receive either a two-strain combination probiotic ( Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum ) or placebo given twice a day for 3 months . The primary outcome was any symptom of cold during the 3-month study period while vomiting , diarrhea , use of antibiotics , school absence due to any cause , school absence due to cold and duration of all symptoms were secondary outcomes . RESULTS Of the 40 children in each group , 31 ( 77 % ) in the probiotic group , compared to 38 ( 95 % ) in the placebo group ( P= 0.048 ) , developed at least one symptom of cold . Children in the probiotics group had significantly lower risk of fever , cough , rhinorrhea , school absence and school absence related to common cold compared to children in the placebo group . There was no impact on diarrhea and vomiting . CONCLUSION A two-strain probiotic combination given twice a day for 3 months was able to reduce the symptoms of the common cold and school absenteeism in schoolchildren
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 .