Probiotics and Fever Duration in Children With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Alex Haga — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 13:08:57 +0000

Date Added:

April 8, 2025

Journal/Publication:

JAMA

Publication Date:

March 14, 2025

URL:

Probiotics and Fever Duration in Children With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Type:

Clinical Research Results

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0669

Keywords

Upper respiratory tract infection

fever

probiotics

PMID (1):

40085083

MeSH

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus

Bifidobacterium breve

probiotics

A specific mixture of probiotics reduced the duration of fever associated with URIs in children by 2 days. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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Importance: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) are prevalent in children, prompting frequent health care consultations, especially among those with fever. Probiotics show potential as an adjuvant treatment for URTIs, but evidence in children is limited.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in shortening fever duration among children with URTIs.

Design, setting, and participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted between November 19, 2021, and June 20, 2023, at the pediatric emergency department of the Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan, Italy. Patients between 28 days and 4 years of age with a fever (≥38.5 °C) and URTI were eligible. Exclusion criteria included recent probiotic use, chronic autoimmune diseases, immunosuppressive treatment, and requirement for hospitalization. Randomization was computer generated and assigned participants to either the intervention (probiotics) or control (placebo) group. Participants, parents or caregivers, and investigators were masked to the group assignments. The primary analysis followed the intention-to-treat approach.

Interventions: The probiotic group received daily single dose of 0.5 mL probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 for 14 days. The placebo group received daily single dose of 0.5 mL placebo for 14 days.

Main outcomes and measures: The primary outcome was fever duration, defined as the number of days between the first and the last days with fever.

Results: Of the 128 patients enrolled (69 males [54%]; mean [SD] age 2.5 [1.3] years), 65 (51%) were randomly assigned to receive placebo and 63 (49%) to receive probiotics. The median (IQR) fever duration was shorter in the probiotic group than the placebo group (median [IQR], 3 [2-4] days vs 5 [4-6] days; adjusted risk ratio, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.51-0.80). Few mild adverse events were reported and did not significantly differ between the probiotic and placebo groups, including constipation (6 [16%] and 6 [12%]; P = .80) and abdominal pain (3 [8%] and 2 [4%]; P = .65).

Conclusions and relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, administering a probiotic mixture reduced fever duration by 2 days compared with placebo, with no meaningful safety concerns. The probiotic mixture under investigation could be an effective adjuvant for shortening fever duration in children with URTIs.

Author/s:

Silvia Bettocchi, Anna Comotti, Marina Elli, Valentina De Cosmi, Cristiana Berti

Rotavirus

John Bayhi — Fri, 19 Jul 2019 22:18:24 +0000

Date Added:

July 19, 2019

Publication Date:

October 24, 2018

URL:

Rotavirus

Type:

Patient Education Materials

Format:

Web Page

Keywords

Concise information for parents about rotavirus from familydoctor.org. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a common stomach and intestinal illness. It mostly affects babies and young children. It is one of the most common causes of severe diarrhea. Almost all children will have a rotavirus infection by the time they are 5 years old.

Rotavirus is highly contagious. It spreads through direct or indirect contact with an infected person’s feces (poop). It can happen if you touch a contaminated object, food, water, or the hands or mouth of an infected person. The virus enters your body when your unclean hand touches your nose or mouth.

The risk of catching rotavirus is greatest in the winter and spring (December through June). Adults can get the disease, but their symptoms usually aren’t as severe.

Author/s:

American Academy of Family Physicians