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Milk containing probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and respiratory illness in children: a randomized, double-blind,

M Kumpu1, R A Kekkonen, H Kautiainen

  • 1Valio Ltd, Helsinki, Finland.

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|June 14, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Daily consumption of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (GG) in milk reduced respiratory illness in children attending day care, particularly when GG was detected in fecal samples. Further research is needed to confirm this probiotic effect.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Microbiology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Respiratory illnesses are common in children attending day care.
  • Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (GG), are being investigated for their potential health benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effect of long-term daily consumption of milk containing probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (GG) on reducing respiratory illness in children.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 523 children aged 2-6 years in Finnish day care centers.
  • Participants consumed either regular milk or milk with GG for 28 weeks, with daily symptom recording by parents.
  • Analysis included primary outcome data from 501 subjects and completed cases from 128 subjects with confirmed GG recovery in fecal samples.

Main Results:

  • In the total population, there was no significant difference in respiratory symptom days between the GG and placebo groups (IRR 0.97; P=0.098).
  • However, in the subgroup of completed cases (with fecal GG recovery), the GG group experienced fewer symptom days (IRR 0.83; P<0.001).

Conclusions:

  • Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (GG) consumption demonstrated a reduction in respiratory illness occurrence in children within the completed cases subgroup.
  • The study highlights the need for further clinical trials to clarify the link between probiotic fecal recovery and symptom prevalence in children.
Abstract

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