ArticlePatient preference and adherence2026
Effects of Probiotics on Respiratory Tract Infections and Quality of Life in Children: A Large, Prospective, Community-Based Study.
Article in Patient preference and adherence, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common in children and contribute substantially to healthcare burden. Although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown probiotic benefits, evidence from large-scale, real-world community settings remains limited. Objective: This prospective, multicenter, community-based study evaluated the effects of combined Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, single-arm, community-based study without a placebo control group, 236 children aged 0-14 years with a recent history of RTIs received a 4-week probiotic course and were included in the per-protocol analysis. Symptom frequency, medical visits, and caregiver-reported quality of life (QoL) were assessed through structured questionnaires. Results: At baseline, rhinorrhea (51.7%), cough (43.2%), and allergic manifestations (47.0%) were common. After four weeks of probiotic intake, 95.34% of guardians reported that probiotic use was associated with reduced cold frequency (p < 0.001 vs null), and 94.49% observed fewer medical visits (p < 0.001). Complete symptom disappearance occurred in 22.88% of children, while 57.63% showed marked improvement. Symptom relief occurred within 1-3 days in 58.47% of cases. Quality of life improved in 97.88% of children, including better appetite/digestion (32.63%), greater energy (31.78%), and improved sleep quality (30.93%). Gastrointestinal comfort improvement was significantly higher in children <3 years (p = 0.039). No discontinuations due to adverse events were reported. Product palatability was rated "Excellent" or "Good" by 83.05% of respondents, and 99.15% of caregivers were willing to recommend it. Conclusion: In this large, real-world pediatric population, probiotic supplementation was associated with caregiver-reported reductions in RTI burden and improvements in daily well-being. These findings complement prior RCTs and support probiotic use in community settings as a preventive strategy. Trial Registration: ChiCTR2500102509.
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