Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 in reducing the risk of infections in early childhood

Abstract

ArticlesBackground: Specific probiotic bacteria have proven to be effective in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in early life in at-risk populations. The impact of administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12) on the risk of acute infectious diseases was studied in healthy children. Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 109 1-mo-old infants were assigned randomly to a probiotic group receiving a BB-12-containing tablet (n = 55) or a placebo (n = 54). Test tablets were administered to the infants twice a day (daily dose of BB-12 10 billion colony-forming units) until the age of 2 y with a novel slow-release pacifier or a spoon. Breastfeeding habits, pacifier use, dietary habits, medications, and all signs and symptoms of acute infections were registered in diaries by parents and in questionnaires by trained professionals. results: The infants receiving BB-12 were reported to have experienced fewer respiratory tract infections (RTIs; 87 vs. 100%; risk ratio: 0.87; 95% confidence interval: 0.76, 1.00; P = 0.033) than the controls. No significant differences between the groups were observed in reported gastrointestinal symptoms, otitis media, or fever. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were similar, as was the duration of breastfeeding. conclusion: Administration of BB-12 in early childhood may reduce RTIs.

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis in prevention of common infections in healthy children attending day care centers – Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study

“…Taipale et al investigated probiotic strain BB-12 ® in very young infants (not in day care centers) and showed efficacy in the preventing respiratory tract infections [12]. Accordingly, the results of this study could not be easily extrapolated to other age groups, e.g.…”

“…lactis (BB-12 ® ) is well known probiotic strain with proven safety and efficacy to prevent respiratory tract infection in infancy [12], but its ability to reduce infections in children attending day care centers was not yet investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the Abbreviations: BB-12 ® , Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.…”

Probiotics for the treatment of upper and lower respiratory-tract infections in children: systematic review based on randomized clinical trials

“…The following clinical trials were included in this systematic review: Cohen et al, 24 Hatakka et al, 25 Hatakka et al, 26 Kumpu et al, 27 Leyer et al, 28 Rautava et al, 29 Roos et al, 30 Skovbjerg et al, 31 Taipale et al, 32 Tano et al, 33 and Tapiovaara et al, 34 which were performed in their totality in two countries: Finland and Sweden, whereas the other trials were performed in two different countries: China and France. The duration of treatment with probiotics ranged from ten days to 12 months, although most trials were performed for approximately six to seven months during the winter months.…”

Role of Microbiota in Human Life and the Prospects for the Preventive Use of Probiotics

“…Именно продолжитель-ность приема пробиотического препарата определяет эффективность профилактики острых респираторных инфекций у детей и подростков при назначении в тече-ние 8 [47] и 24 мес. [48]. Адъювантный эффект пробио-тиков при вакцинации также зависит от выбранной такти-ки.…”