Probiotics may support the respiratory health of babies and young children

Content

• Respiratory tract discomfort is common
• Probiotics may help lower the occurrence of respiratory tract discomfort
• LGG® may support children’s respiratory health
• The respiratory health of babies may be supported by BB-12®
• Probiotics may support childrens respiratory health

High-quality studies suggest that the Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG^® and Bifidobacterium, BB-12^® (hereafter referred to by use of the trademarks LGG^® and BB-12^®) probiotic strains may support respiratory health in babies and children

Respiratory tract discomfort is common

When the immune system is challenged, people are more likely to experience respiratory tract discomfort - one of the most common health issues seen in day-to-day health care.³ Triggered by a broad range of foreign substances, such as harmful bacteria, respiratory tract discomfort is particularly prevalent in children.⁴ Respiratory tract discomfort occurs 2-3 times more often in children who attend daycare than those who are cared for at home.⁵

Although respiratory tract discomfort tends to go away on its own, it is still the most common reason for children to visit a health care professional.⁶

Probiotics may help lower the occurrence of respiratory tract discomfort

In high-quality scientific studies, babies and children who were given the LGG^® or BB-12^® probiotic strain had less respiratory tract discomfort than children who had not been given LGG^® or BB-12^®.^7-11

LGG^® may support children’s respiratory health 

In a study investigating LGG^® consumption, children who took LGG^® every day for 3 months had significantly fewer instances of respiratory tract discomfort. Children who took LGG^® but did experience respiratory tract discomfort felt unwell for less time than the children who were given a placebo.⁷ Compared to children in the placebo group, the children who were given LGG^® also had significantly fewer days away from daycare due to poor health.⁷

Another study showed that the use of LGG^® may also support respiratory health in children who are hospitalized for other reasons.⁸ In the study, the children who were given fermented milk that had been supplemented with LGG^® had fewer digestive system conditions that lasted more than two days and less respiratory discomfort that lasted more than three days when compared to the children who were given a placebo.⁸
Click to read more about the Chr. Hansen LGG^® strain

The respiratory health of babies may be supported by BB-12^®

Studies suggest that the BB-12^® probiotic strain may also support the respiratory health of babies. Babies given BB-12^® from the age of 1-month until they were 2 years old experienced less respiratory discomfort.^{9, 10}
Click to read more about the Chr. Hansen BB-12^® strain

Probiotics may support childrens respiratory health

As discussed in this article, the LGG^® and BB-12^® probiotic strains may help support respiratory health in babies and children. Studies suggest that LGG^® supplementation may help reduce the number of days absent from daycare.
Consult a health care professional to find out more.
Read about what to look for when choosing a probiotic.
Read about probiotics and occasional loose stools and excessive crying and fussing in babies.


LGG^® and BB-12^® are registered trademarks of Chr. Hansen A/S.

The article is provided for informational purposes regarding probiotics and is not meant to suggest that any substance referenced in the article is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.