Streptococcus salivarius Probiotics to Prevent Acute Otitis Media in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Sarlin S, Koskela U, Honkila M, Tähtinen PA, Pokka T, Renko M, et al.
Published in JAMA Netw Open, Vol. 6 (11), pp. e2340608
Methodology
Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 827 children aged 1 to 6 attending 50 day care centres in the Oulu region of Finland. Children received one daily dose of a Streptococcus salivarius K12 product (1 billion CFU, as a sachet of powder under age 3 or a chewable tablet from age 3) or placebo, every evening for 6 months. Outcomes were taken from national medical and prescription registers.
Key Findings
AOM needing antibiotics occurred in 34 of 413 children (8.2%) on K12 and 24 of 414 (5.8%) on placebo (relative risk 1.42, 95% CI 0.86 to 2.34; P = .17). Time to first AOM did not differ (174 vs 176 days).
Conclusions
Daily K12 for 6 months did not reduce AOM in children attending day care.
Limitations
One strain and product in one country. The primary outcome was AOM that led to an antibiotic purchase, so milder or untreated infections were not counted. It tested primary prevention, not children with recurrent infections.
Supplements Studied
did not reduce the occurrence of AOM
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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