Effect of Probiotic Microorganism Lactobacillus Reuteri on the Occurrence of Acute Otitis Media

Background: Human microflora and her changes in neonates are very important for the maturation of the immune system. Addition of probiotics to early child diet may improve immunity and prevent development of some diseases. Many reports suggest that certain probiotic strains have potent immunomodulatory activity in diverse disorders including acute otitis media (AOM). We aimed to determine whether breast feeding supplemented with probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri (LR) could reduce the risk of AOM in the first three years of life. Methods. 308 healthy, maturely born infants divided in two groups (group A-194 infants exclusively breastfed for 4-6 months and group B-114 infants breastfed with addition of L. reuteri from fourth week of life for 12 weeks) were included in this prospective study. Every child was followed up by the same paediatrician until it was three years old. Epidemiological data about AOM at one and three years of age (frequency, episode duration and hospital admission rate) were analysed. Statistical analysis was performed with Epi Info 7 using chi-square analysis with Yates’ correction. P-values less than 0.01 were considered significant.

Results: Percentage of children vaccinated with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in groups A and B was nearly the same (group A: 24.2%; group B: 24.6%). In the first year of life had AOM 20.1% of children (group A: 26.2%; group B: 9.6%). Occurrence of AOM was significantly lower in group B (P<0.001). Prevalence of AOM in first three years of life was 24.4% (group A: 30.4%; group B 14%), (P<0.01). In the observed period frequency of episodes, duration of each episode and hospital admission rate was lover in the group B.

Conclusions: The study confirms that supplementation of breast feeding with probiotic L. reuteri reduce the risk of AOM. Addition of L. reuteri to child’s diet is beneficial and has to be recommended.