Efficacy of probiotics on digestive disorders and acute respiratory infections: a controlled clinical trial in young Vietnamese children

• Published in: European journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 75; no. 3; pp. 513 - 520
• Main Authors: Mai, Truong Tuyet, Thi Thu, Pham, Thi Hang, Hoang, Trang, Tran Thi Thu, Yui, Shintaro, Shigehisa, Akira, Tien, Vu Thuy, Dung, Truong Viet, Nga, Phan Bich, Hung, Nguyen Trong, Tuyen, Le Danh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 01.03.2021; Nature Publishing Group UK
• Subjects: Anthropometry; Asians; Care and treatment; Child, Preschool; Children; Clinical trials; Constipation; Diarrhea; Digestive system diseases; Diseases; Double-Blind Method; Fermented milk products; Humans; Infections; Lactobacillus casei; Lung diseases; Milk; Nutritional status; Probiotics; Respiratory tract infection; Respiratory Tract Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Tract Infections - prevention & control; Testing; Vietnam - epidemiology; Vietnam
• ISSN: 0954-3007; 1476-5640
• DOI: 10.1038/s41430-020-00754-9

To evaluate the efficacy of fermented milk containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) on the incidence of constipation, diarrhea, acute respiratory infections (ARI), and nutritional status of young Vietnamese children. A controlled field trial was conducted with 1003 children (3-5 years old) in Thanh Hoa province in Vietnam. The probiotic group (n = 510) consumed fermented milk 65 mL/day containing 10 CFU/mL of LcS for the 12-week intervention period, whereas the control group (n = 493) was not given any. The incidence of constipation, diarrhea, ARI, and anthropometry in children was determined at baseline, after 4, 8, and 12-week intervention, and after the 4-week follow-up period. Probiotic drink decreased the incidence of constipation after the 12-week intervention period (12.0% vs. 32.0%, OR = 0.28 (95% CI: 0.21-0.40), p < 0.001), tended to decrease the incidence of diarrhea (4.9% vs. 7.9%, OR = 0.60 (95% CI: 0.35-1.01), p = 0.068), and prevented the occurrence of ARI (15.9% vs. 24.5%, OR = 0.58 (95% CI: 0.42-0.79), p < 0.001), when compared with the control group. In contrast, no probiotic effects were observed for the duration of diarrhea or ARI. Weight gain was higher in the probiotic group than in the control group after 4, 8, and 12-week intervention and after the 4-week follow-up period (p < 0.05). Daily intake of fermented milk containing LcS strongly prevented the incidence of constipation and ARI in Vietnamese children. This study also revealed the potential effects of the use of a probiotic drink on diarrhea prevention as well as nutritional status improvement.