PREVENTIVE EFFECT OF COMPOUND PROBIOTIC INTERVENTION ON UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

YU Xue-ting; WEI Jiu-ling; ZHAO Ling-ling; LIU Fei-tong; XIANG Xue-song; ZHANG Wen-zhong

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Acta Nutrimenta Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 47 ›› Issue (6) : 534-541.

PREVENTIVE EFFECT OF COMPOUND PROBIOTIC INTERVENTION ON UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN

YU Xue-ting^1,2, WEI Jiu-ling³, ZHAO Ling-ling⁴, LIU Fei-tong⁴, XIANG Xue-song², ZHANG Wen-zhong¹

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of a composite probiotic formulation (Bifidobacterium infantis R0033, Bifidobacterium bifidum R0071, and Lactobacillus helveticus R0052) on upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in infants and young children aged 0-24 months. Methods From November 2022 to July 2024, 192 infants and young children aged 0-24 months nationwide were recruited. Using a paired, randomized, controlled, double-blind design, subjects were assigned to an intervention group (n=111, composite probiotic preparation) or a control group (n=81, maltodextrin preparation). The intervention period lasted 3 months. During the intervention period, fecal samples were collected for gut microbiota analysis, and questionnaires were used to record feeding patterns, bowel movements, growth and development indicators, and disease incidence. Results The overall incidence of URTIs in infants and young children in the intervention group was significantly lower than that in the control group (31.53% vs. 45.68%, P < 0.05), with a particularly pronounced protective effect observed during spring (4.46% vs.18.52%, P<0.01). Gut microbiota analysis revealed significantly increased abundance of Lactobacillus and Prevotella genera in the intervention group (LDA score >2, P<0.05). Conclusion Combined probiotic intervention significantly reduces the incidence of URTIs in infants and young children while improving respiratory symptoms, with particularly pronounced protective effects during spring.

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composite probiotics / upper respiratory tract infections / gut microbiota / infant and young child

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YU Xue-ting, WEI Jiu-ling, ZHAO Ling-ling, LIU Fei-tong, XIANG Xue-song, ZHANG Wen-zhong. PREVENTIVE EFFECT OF COMPOUND PROBIOTIC INTERVENTION ON UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN[J]. Acta Nutrimenta Sinica. 2025, 47(6): 534-541

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