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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
A large New Zealand trial found that giving infants a daily oral probiotic — Streptococcus salivarius K12 — from 6 to 24 months of age did nothing to reduce ear infections, respiratory tract infections, or antibiotic use compared to placebo. The double-blind RCT of 428 infants showed no statistically significant differences in any primary or secondary outcomes, adding to growing evidence against routine probiotic use for infection prevention in young children.
A popular probiotic strategy for babies just didn't hold up under scrutiny. A large, double-blind randomized controlled trial out of New Zealand tested whether daily doses of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 — given from 6 to 24 months of age — could protect infants from ear infections (acute otitis media, or AOM) and respiratory tract infections (RTIs). The short answer: no.
Across 428 infants in Wellington and Christchurch, rates of doctor-recorded AOM were nearly identical between the probiotic and placebo groups. Secondary outcomes — including medical visits for RTIs, antibiotic prescriptions, and croup diagnoses — also showed no meaningful differences. Even among infants with higher adherence, the probiotic showed only a non-significant trend in its favor.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Ear and respiratory infections are among the most common reasons infants visit doctors and receive antibiotics. Probiotics are widely marketed as a preventive tool, but this well-designed trial — combined with existing evidence — suggests routine use of S. salivarius K12 isn't warranted for healthy infants.
