Optimization of recurrent respiratory infections prevention in preschool children

Recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) have been, are, and will likely remain a significant challenge in pediatric practice. Aim - to evaluate the efficacy of the use of bacterial lysate (BL), mineral complex (MC) and symbiotic (SB) for the prevention of RRIs in preschool children. Materials and methods. The prospective study included 60 children aged 30-42 mos. They had 6 or more episodes of acute respiratory infection (ARI) within the previous year. All the children were divided into a control group (CG, n=30) and an experimental group (EG, n=30). The CG included patients who did not receive any medications to prevent RRI. The EG consisted of children who were prescribed BL, MK and SB according to the original regimen for 3 mos. The results of the study in CG and EG were analyzed at 6 and 12 mos. after the start of the study according to the following criteria: 1) the number of ARI episodes and 2) the total severity score (TSS) of RRIs. Statistical processing of the obtained data was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28 software. Results. The use of BL, MK and SB in preschool children was associated with a marked reduction in the number of ARI episodes during the first 6 mos., as well as a significantly lower the total severity score of RRIs during 12 mos. The calculation of χ2 and φc coefficients showed an average degree of positive effect of the mentioned prophylactic agents on the accounting clinical indicators. Besides, the odds ratio showed that the use of this prophylactic complex in patients was associated with a 5-fold and 3.6-fold reduction in the probability of their belonging to the subgroup with more frequent ARI episodes after 6 mos. and 12 mos., respectively. Conclusion. The applied prophylactic complex can be recommended both for children who have previously experienced a recurrent course of ARIs and those with a high susceptibility to such a course, especially in preschool age. The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of the institution mentioned in the work. An informed parental consent was obtained for the study in children. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.