Publication:
Randomized controlled trial of probiotics to reduce common cold in schoolchildren

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Issued Date

2012

Resource Type

Article

File Type

application/pdf

ISSN

13288067

DOI

10.1111/j.1442-200X.2012.03647.x

Other identifier(s)

2-s2.0-84867026187

Rights Holder(s)

Scopus

Bibliographic Citation

Pediatrics International. Vol 54, No.5 (2012), p.682-687

Suggested Citation

Rerksuppaphol S., Rerksuppaphol L. Randomized controlled trial of probiotics to reduce common cold in schoolchildren. Pediatrics International. Vol 54, No.5 (2012), p.682-687. doi:10.1111/j.1442-200X.2012.03647.x Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/6954

Title

Randomized controlled trial of probiotics to reduce common cold in schoolchildren

Author(s)

Rerksuppaphol S.
 Rerksuppaphol L.

Abstract

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 randomized controlled trial was performed during the winter season in a public school of central Thailand. Children, aged 8-13 years, were randomized 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. © 2012 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2012 Japan Pediatric Society.

Subject(s)

Placebo
 Probiotic agent
 Absenteeism
 Adolescent
 Antibiotic therapy
 Article
 Bacterial strain
 Bifidobacterium bifidum
 Child
 Clinical article
 Common cold symptom
 Controlled study
 Coughing
 Diarrhea
 Double blind procedure
 Fever
 Human
 Lactobacillus acidophilus
 Priority journal
 Randomized controlled trial
 Rhinorrhea
 Risk factor
 School child
 Treatment outcome
 Vomiting
 Winter
 Adolescent
 Bifidobacterium
 Child
 Common Cold
 Double-Blind Method
 Female
 Humans
 Lactobacillus acidophilus
 Male
 Population
 Probiotics
 Thailand
 Treatment Outcome

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URI

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/6954

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Scopus: Year 1983-2021

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