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Milan, Italy – A new clinical trial has revealed that a specific probiotic mixture can significantly shorten fever duration in young children suffering from upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs). The research, conducted by scientists at the Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and the University of Milan, suggests a potential new approach to managing common childhood illnesses.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, focused on children aged 28 days to 4 years who presented with fever (≥38.5°C) and URTIs at a pediatric emergency department in Milan. The researchers randomly assigned 87 children to receive either a probiotic mixture containing Bifidobacterium breve M-16V, Bifidobacterium lactis HN019, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001, or a placebo, for 14 days.
The primary outcome of the trial was fever duration, measured as the number of days between the first and last recorded febrile day. The results showed a significant reduction in fever duration among children who received the probiotic mixture. The median fever duration was 3 days in the probiotic group, compared to 5 days in the placebo group.
“Our findings indicate that this specific probiotic mixture can effectively shorten fever duration in young children with URTIs,” said researchers involved in the study. “This could potentially reduce the burden of these common illnesses and decrease the need for healthcare visits.”
Upper respiratory tract infections are highly prevalent in young children, with reports indicating that children experience an average of five to eight URTIs per year, particularly in the first five years of life. Fever is a frequent symptom and a major driver of healthcare visits, often leading to inappropriate antibiotic use. As most URTIs are caused by viruses, antibiotics are ineffective.
The study also found that the probiotic mixture was well-tolerated, with no significant differences in adverse events between the probiotic and placebo groups. However, the trial did not find significant effects on antibiotic prescription rates or antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
The researchers acknowledged several limitations to their study, including its single-center design and reliance on caregiver-reported temperature measurements. They also noted that the trial did not distinguish between bacterial and viral URTIs, and that participants may have received the probiotic at different stages of illness.
Despite these limitations, the investigators believe that their findings provide valuable evidence for the potential therapeutic role of probiotics as an adjunct treatment for pediatric URTIs. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and to explore the mechanisms by which probiotics may reduce fever duration.
More information: Silvia Bettocchi et al, Probiotics and Fever Duration in Children With Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, JAMA Network Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.0669
Disclaimer: This news article is based on the provided information and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions related1 to your health or the health of your children. The results of this study are preliminary and further research is needed to confirm these findings. The effectiveness of probiotics can vary, and individual results may differ.
