Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis fails to prevent common infections in hospitalized children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Study answer

What this study found

B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 did not prevent nosocomial infections in hospitalized children. The primary endpoint was not significant: 29 infections in the intervention group versus 22 in placebo, incidence rate ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.36, P = 0.32. Respiratory tract infection rates were also similar (IRR 1.08, 95% CI 0.45 to 2.59, P = 0.85), and gastrointestinal infection rates did not differ significantly (IRR 0.53, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.25, P = 0.11). No recurrent infections or adverse events were recorded.

Study & population

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in hospitalized children in Croatia.

Intervention

Children in the active arm received Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.

Key limitation

The overall incidence of nosocomial infections was lower than expected, which reduces power to detect benefit.

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Original abstract