Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation
09:49

Prospecting Microbial Strains for Bioremediation and Probiotics Development for Metaorganism Research and Preservation

Published on: October 31, 2019

23.1K

Multi-Strain Probiotic and Common Infections in Early Childhood Education Settings: A Randomised Controlled Trial

Hafiz Haris Ahmad1,2, Blake Peck1, Daniel Terry1,3,4

  • 1Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University, Ballarat, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|January 23, 2026
PubMed

Insights

A multi-strain probiotic significantly reduced gastrointestinal infections in young children attending early childhood education settings. While effective for gut health, it did not impact respiratory infections, suggesting targeted benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Microbiome Research
  • Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

  • Common infections pose a significant burden in early childhood education (ECE) settings.
  • Probiotics are explored for their potential to modulate the gut microbiome and enhance immune responses.
  • Limited research exists on multi-strain probiotics for infection prevention in ECE populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic in reducing the incidence of common infections among children in ECE.
  • To assess the impact of probiotic supplementation on gastrointestinal tract infections (GITIs) and respiratory tract infections (RTIs).
  • To determine the cost-effectiveness of probiotic use for infection prevention in this age group.

Main Methods:

  • A 24-week, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
  • Involved 118 children in ECE settings, randomly assigned to receive a 5-strain probiotic (10 billion CFU/day) or placebo.
  • Weekly questionnaires tracked infection incidence; intention-to-treat analysis was performed.

Main Results:

  • A 62% reduction in GITIs was observed in the probiotic group compared to placebo (IRR: 1.62, p=0.055) after 16 weeks.
  • A significant protective effect of probiotics on GITIs emerged after 8 weeks of supplementation.
  • No significant impact on RTIs was found; probiotic use yielded an estimated AU$4748 cost saving related to reduced GITIs.

Conclusions:

  • Multi-strain probiotic supplementation shows potential for reducing GITIs in children attending ECE.
  • Probiotics did not demonstrate a significant effect on RTIs, despite a high number of infections recorded.
  • Further large-scale, multi-arm trials are recommended to confirm these findings and explore broader applications.
Abstract

Keywords:
childrenclinical trialinfectionsprobiotics

More Related Videos

E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy06:28

E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy

Published on: August 1, 2019

8.8K
Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods08:38

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods

Published on: September 10, 2016

25.2K

Related Concept Videos

Common Ion Effect03:24

Common Ion Effect

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Châtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:
46.1K
Clinical Trials01:16

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are prospective experimental studies conducted on humans to determine the safety and efficacy of treatments, drugs, diet methods, and medical devices. Using statistics in clinical trials enables researchers to derive reasonable and accurate conclusions from the collected data, allowing them to make wise decisions in uncertain situations. In medical research, statistical methods are crucial for preventing errors and bias.
There are four phases in a clinical trial. A phase one...
10.2K
Clinical Trials: Overview01:11

Clinical Trials: Overview

Clinical development focuses on how the drug will interact with the human body and encompasses four key phases of clinical trials, each serving a specific purpose in assessing the safety and effectiveness of new drugs. These phases overlap and build upon one another. Phase I involves a small group of healthy volunteers (typically 20-80 individuals) or, in cases where significant toxicity is expected, patients with the targeted disease, such as cancer or AIDS. The volunteers are tested for...
4.7K
Trial and Error and Algorithm01:12

Trial and Error and Algorithm

A problem-solving strategy is a plan of action used to find a solution. Different strategies have distinct action plans. Trial and error involves trying different solutions until one works. For instance, to fix a broken printer, you might check ink levels, ensure the paper tray isn't jammed, and verify the printer's connection to your laptop. This method can be time-consuming but is commonly used. Thomas Edison, for example, used trial and error to find a suitable filament for the light...
403
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood01:28

Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Childhood

Erik Erikson, a stage theorist, adapted Freud's theory to emphasize social factors in personality development throughout life, a concept known as psychosocial development. Unlike Freud, who focused on early childhood, Erikson believed that personality evolves across eight life stages, each marked by a specific challenge or "crisis." Successful resolution of each stage fosters competence, while failure may lead to feelings of inadequacy.
The first four of Erikson's eight...
1.0K
Types of Records II: Educational and Administrative Records01:18

Types of Records II: Educational and Administrative Records

Maintaining nurses' educational and administrative records in healthcare settings, including hospitals and nursing schools, is paramount. Here's a breakdown of the types of academic records mentioned:
1.0K