Probiotics in formula prevents fevers and GI illness

Richard Maurer, ND

For 3 months, 194 infants in daycare (age 4 months to 10 months) were given two strains of probiotic bacteria (Bifidobacterium bifidum or Lactobacillus reuteri) or placebo. Significantly less febrile episodes and gastrointestinal illnesses occurred in the probiotics group, respiratory illnesses were the same in the study and placebo group.

Anyone with infants in daycare know how quickly gastrointestinal illness spreads from one child to another. This study does a great service by offering that there is something that can be done to prevent these “stomach bugs” from spreading to their child. The other unique characteristic of this study is the use of probiotics prophylactically for several months, as opposed to the well-known beneficial action that probiotics have on acute gastrointestinal symptoms.


Asli G, Alsheikh A, Weizman A. Effect of formula supplemented with two strains of probiotics on infections in day care infants. 2003 Pediatric Academic Societies' Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, May 3-6, 2003; abstract 998.