Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of bovine colostrum administration in preventing recurrent diarrhea and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in children.

Protocol: Children from 1-6 years of age who had recurrent diarrhea or UTRI (n=160) had an initial baseline assessment including the total number of infections, number of UTRIs, Diarrhea episodes, and frequency of hospitalization over a 6 month period matching the same time-of-year in the prior year. Participants consumed colostrum daily (3g if under 2 years-old, 6g if over 2 years-old) for 6 months. Measures were reassessed at the end of the trial and compared to the baseline values for each participant.

Results: Bovine colostrum intervention resulted in a lower number of total infections, upper respiratory tract infections, episodes of diarrhea, and fewer hospitalizations as compared to baseline levels for each participant.

Conclusion: This study suggests that bovine colostrum may be effective in children with recurrent URTI and diarrhea to lessen the impact of both as it relates to number of infections, episodes, and the need for hospitalization.

Reference: Saad KS et al. Medicine 2016, 95(37): 1-5