Study Finds Probiotic BB-12 May Reduce Respiratory Illness in Infants

Hundreds of studies have been conducted on Chr. Hansen’s probiotics. Recently Chr. Hansen researchers revealed the complete genome sequence of BB-12 in the May 2010 issue of The Journal of Bacteriology.

Oct 21 2010 --- Daily supplements of Chr. Hansen's probiotic strain BB-12 may significantly reduce the occurrence of respiratory infections in early childhood. This is the conclusion of a federally funded, clinical study which was published in the September issue of British Journal of Nutrition. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 109 newborn infants were assigned randomly to a probiotic group receiving BB-12 or to a control group receiving placebo. BB-12 was administered to the healthy breastfed infants twice a day from the age of 1-2 months to 8 months with a pacifier or a spoon.

“The main finding was that BB-12 reduced respiratory infections. 65% of the children in the BB-12 group and 94% in the control group had experienced one or more episodes of respiratory infections at the 8-month examination,” explains Dr.Teemu Taipale who supervised the study in the Korpilahti-Muurame Health Care Center in Finland. The symptoms of respiratory infections included running nose, cough, and shortness of breath.

“While some research has been conducted on respiratory tract infections in children, very little research has been done within this indication focusing on infants below the age of 1 year. We are proud that BB-12 was chosen for this milestone study,” says Chr. Hansen’s Birgit Michelsen, Director of Scientific Affairs, Health & Nutrition Division.

The study abstract can be found on http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20863419

With the oldest study dating back to 1986, the benefits of Chr. Hansen’s probiotics have been documented for more than two decades. Hundreds of studies have been conducted on Chr. Hansen’s probiotics. Recently Chr. Hansen researchers revealed the complete genome sequence of BB-12 in the May 2010 issue of The Journal of Bacteriology.