Does probiotic milk prevent infections in children attending daycare centres?

Results: Children in the Lactobacillus group had fewer days of absence from daycare because of illness (4.9 days [95% CI, 4.4–5.5] versus 5.8 days [95% CI, 5.3–6.4]; absolute difference, 16% [P = 0.03]). Corresponding age-adjusted findings were 5.1 days (95% CI, 4.6– 5.6) for the Lactobacillus group versus 5.7 days (95% CI, 5.2–6.3) for the control group; age-adjusted difference, 11% (P = 0.09). There was also a relative reduction of 17% in the number of children having respiratory infections with complications and lower respiratory tract infections (unadjusted absolute reduction, 8.6%; 95% CI, -17.2% to -0.1%; P = 0.05; age-adjusted odds ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.52–1.09; P = 0.13) and a 19% relative reduction in courses of antibiotic for respiratory infection in the Lactobacillus group (unadjusted absolute reduction, -9.6%; 95% CI, -18.2 to -1.0; P = 0.03; adjusted odds ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.50–1.03; P = 0.08).