Effect of a probiotic milk product on gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in children attending day-care

Gastrointestinal and respiratory infections are common among children attending day-care, particularly among younger children. The aim of the present randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was to investigate whether Biola, a commercial milk product with a combination of three different probiotic strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), L. acidophilus LA-5, and Bifidobacterium Bb-12) given daily to 240 children younger than 3 years, during 7 winter months of their first year in a day-care centre, could prevent such infections. Information about symptoms of respiratory and gastrointestinal infections was collected by use of a diary completed by the parents and the number of days with respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and absences from day-care because of illness were studied. There was no significant difference between the two groups when analysing the total number of days with gastrointestinal and/or respiratory symptoms (26.5 days for the Biola group versus 26.9 days for the placebo group, p=0.52). However, the results indicate that Biola may reduce the number of days with gastrointestinal symptoms only (1.7 days for the Biola group versus 3.0 days for placebo, p=0.02). No significant difference between treatments was seen with respect to respiratory symptoms alone.