Child Health Experts Show Interest in Probiotic Potential

02/11/07 A Danisco probiotic formulation linked to reduced cold and flu symptoms in children was presented at the 4th European Paediatric GI Motility Meeting held early October in London.

Dr Arthur Ouwehand from Danisco’s Health & Nutrition innovation centre in Kantvik, Finland, presented the results from a recent clinical study of the effect of HOWARU Protect on respiratory tract infections in children under five. The study shows that HOWARU Protect reduces antibiotic prescriptions and the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infection symptoms.

Sick days halved

Some 248 children, all from day care centres in Shanghai, China, were involved in the clinical study, which followed the guidelines of the World Health Organization. Performed during the winter months when children are most prone to respiratory infections, the study showed that a daily dose of HOWARU Protect significantly reduced cold-associated symptoms, such as a runny nose, fever and cough. The number of sick days was almost halved, and antibiotic prescriptions fell by 80%.

“These results confirm the potential of specific probiotic formulations for enhancing natural defences of children immunity,” said Dr Ouwehand. “HOWARU Protect can be used as an active ingredient in dairy, beverages and food products.”

Promoting child health

Hosted by the Institute of Child Health in London, the European Paediatric GI Motility Meeting presented an international line-up of expert speakers on the subject of child gastrointestinal health. The aim of the meeting, held every other year, is to advance the integration of key basic science into clinical practice.

Member of the meeting’s organising committee, Dr Nikhil Thapar stated that probiotics may represent an important step forward in promoting child health.

“There is a need, however, for continued, focussed, high quality scientific research into the mechanisms for the purported effects of probiotics, especially in the long-term, before widespread applicability for child health,” he said.