
Probiotics are suggested to be supportive for infants and young children who have had negative influences on their gut bacteria. Strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are some of the most commonly used probiotics. Two specific strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG®) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 (BB-12®), have been extensively studied (individually or in combination) in multiple randomized controlled pediatric clinical trials. Below are just a few highlights of many studies:
· In a study of 109 newborns (age 1-2 months
until age 8 months) randomized to BB-12 [10 billion colony-forming units (CFU)
daily] or control, BB-12 treatment decreased the risk of experiencing
respiratory infections by 31%
· A study randomized 81 infants (requiring
formula before age of 2 months) to a formula containing LGG (10 billion CFU
daily) plus BB-12 (10 billion CFU daily) or placebo until the age of 12 months;
compared with placebo, LGG plus BB-12 significantly reduced the need for
antibiotic treatment by 48% during the first 7 months of life and significantly
reduced the incidence of recurrent RTIs by 49% during the first 12 months of
life
· Another study randomized 90 healthy infants
(age < 8 months) in a residential care setting to BB-12 (> 100 million
CFU daily) or placebo for 20-21 weeks; fewer infants receiving BB-12
experienced acute diarrhea and the mean number of days with diarrhea was
significantly lower
· In another study, 559 children (mean age 1.6
y/o) administered for acute watery diarrhea (57% tested positive for rotavirus)
were randomized to oral rehydration solution (ORS) alone, ORS + LGG (20 billion
CFU daily), or ORS + LGG (2 trillion CFU daily) for ≥7 days or until diarrhea
stopped and the children were rehydrated; compared with the ORS only group,
both ORS + LGG groups had significant reduction in the daily frequency of
diarrhea from fourth day onward, significantly shorter mean diarrhea duration
(by ~2 days), and significantly shorter hospital stay (by ~3.5 days)
Make an appointment today to learn more about probiotics for infants, children, and your entire family. Visit us at Advanced Health Clinic
Make an appointment today to learn more about probiotics for infants, children, and your entire family. Visit us at Advanced Health Clinic