Six Weeks of Supplementation with Bovine Colostrum Effectively Reduces URTIs Symptoms Frequency and Gravity for Up to 20 Weeks in Pre-School Children
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2025
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Maciej Hałasa1, Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka2, Bogusław Machaliński1
1Department of General Pathology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland.
Insights
Bovine colostrum supplementation significantly reduced the frequency and severity of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in preschool children. This safe and well-tolerated intervention offers protective benefits against common childhood illnesses.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Bovine colostrum is recognized for its potential anti-infective properties.
- Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are common in preschool children, impacting their health and well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the preventive efficacy of bovine colostrum against URTIs in healthy preschool children.
- To assess the safety and tolerability of colostrum supplementation in this age group.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 57 preschool children.
- Participants were assigned to either a colostrum (COL) or placebo (PBO) group.
- Dosage regimen: 15 days of 2 × 500 mg followed by 30 days of 1 × 500 mg, with health status monitored via online survey.
Main Results:
- Colostrum supplementation led to a significant reduction in URTI symptom frequency (31% median reduction) lasting up to 20 weeks.
- A 37% median reduction in URTI symptom gravity was observed.
- Frequency of severe URTI episodes (second gravity level) decreased by 50% and persisted until trial end (21 weeks).
Conclusions:
- Bovine colostrum supplementation is well-tolerated and safe for preschool children.
- Colostrum effectively protects against the frequency and severity of upper respiratory tract infections.
- This intervention shows promise as a preventive measure for common childhood respiratory illnesses.
Abstract:
Bovine colostrum is considered to provide anti-infective protection. Here, we present the first randomized controlled trial (RCT) aimed at assessing the preventive use of colostrum against upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in healthy pre-school children. We analyzed 57 children-35 in the colostrum (COL-dried bovine colostrum) and 22 in the placebo (PBO-dried whey) group, who received these substances as follows: first 15 days 2 × 500 mg and then 30 days 1 × 500 mg. The reporting on the children's health status, specifically on the frequency and gravity of URTI symptoms and abdominal side effects, was performed via an online survey. The influence of colostrum on the frequency of days with URTI symptoms remained significant until the 20th week of observation and reached 31% of median reduction. The median reduction reached 37% when the gravity of symptoms was analyzed. When we grouped symptomatic days into episodes of second gravity level, the reduction in their frequency was even larger (50%) and lasted until the end of the trial (21 weeks). No significant side effects, especially abdominal, were reported during the trial. Colostrum supplementation in pre-school children is well tolerated, safe and provides protection from frequency of URTIs and their gravity.
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