Effect of infant formula supplemented with prebiotics and probiotics on incidence of respiratory tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Background: Previous investigations have proposed that the consumption of infant formula supplemented with prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics (PRO-formula) may have protective impacts on respiratory tract infections (RTIs). Nevertheless, the findings of studies are contradictory. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the influence of PRO-formula on RTIs in infants by pooling randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods: To obtain eligible RCTs, Scopus and PubMed databases were systematically searched from their inception to November 2020. A random-effects model was applied to pool the relative risks (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for RTIs following consumption of PRO-formula. Results: A total of 15 RCTs, with a total sample size of 3805 participants (1957 for intervention and 1848 for placebo), were included in the present meta-analysis. In the overall analysis, in comparison to placebo, consumption of PRO-formula had a significant protective impact against RTIs (RR = 0.89, 95%CI: 0.82-0.97) in infants, with a remarkable evidence of heterogeneity across studies (I2 = 61.4%, P < 0.001). In the metaregression analysis, the effect of PRO-formula on RTIs was not modified by the follow-up duration. No evidence for publication bias was detected. Conclusions: Administration of PRO-formula may be a potential approach for the prevention of respiratory tract infections in infants.

Automated summary

This meta-analysis of 15 RCTs found that the consumption of PRO-formula significantly reduces the risk of RTIs in infants, unaffected by the duration of follow-ups. It provides a potential approach for preventing respiratory tract infections in infants.