Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are among the most common illnesses affecting children, often leading to fever, discomfort, and missed school days. While probiotics have been studied for their role in preventing infections, their potential as a treatment has remained unclear. A new clinical trial with results published in the Journal of the American Medical Association provides strong evidence that a probiotic mixture can significantly shorten fever duration in children with URTIs.
This randomized controlled trial enrolled 128 children, with 54% males and 46% females, and a mean age of 2.5 years. Participants were randomly assigned to either a probiotic group (49%) or a placebo group (51%). The probiotic mixture included Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001.
One of the most significant findings was that children who received probiotics had a shorter fever duration compared to those in the placebo group. The median fever duration for the probiotic group was 3 days, whereas it was 5 days in the placebo group.
Additionally, among children who were already receiving antibiotics at the time of enrollment, none in the probiotic group developed diarrhea, while three in the placebo group did. For children discharged without antibiotics, only 2% of those in the probiotic group required antibiotics in follow-up visits, compared to 12% in the placebo group, though this difference was not statistically significant.
The probiotic mixture was well tolerated, with no significant differences in adverse effects between the probiotic and placebo groups. Reported side effects included diarrhea (5%), constipation (14%), and abdominal pain (6%), with similar distribution across both groups. The results suggest that probiotics are a safe option for children without underlying health conditions.
This study is one of the first to demonstrate the efficacy of a specific probiotic combination in reducing fever duration in children with URTIs. While previous research has primarily focused on probiotics for infection prevention, findings on their effectiveness in treatment have been inconsistent. Some studies have shown that probiotics can enhance the immune response by modulating cytokines and increasing antibody production, potentially explaining the observed reduction in fever duration.
This clinical trial provides compelling evidence that probiotics containing Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus can significantly shorten fever duration in children with URTIs. The probiotic mixture was safe and well tolerated, with no severe adverse effects reported.
