Red propolis supplementation does not decrease acute respiratory events in stunted preschool children: A paired nonrandomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background & aims: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of "red propolis" supplementation in the frequency of acute respiratory infections incidence in stunted preschool children. We hypothesized that the "red" propolis supplementation is effective in the reduce frequency of acute respiratory complications in stunted children.

Methods: This is a non-randomized, pair-matched clinical trial with 70 children, ranging from 1 to 5 years old, followed for 1 year, which were paired into two groups according to age, sex, and stunting classification. The children were in the day hospital regimen of CREN and received 5 meals/day and an additional 8 ml of honey or honey with "red propolis" in a 3% dilution. The children had access to nutritional, psychological, dental, and physician care. Respiratory complications were recorded in a pre-existing protocol of the institution by the same pediatrician, who was blind for the children's allocation. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical tests such as hemogram, IGF-1, and immunoglobulin E, G, M were conducted.

Results: The most prevalent symptoms were coughing, runny nose, nasal congestion and wheezing. The use of "red propolis" did not decrease the frequency of infections between the control and propolis groups, respectively (2 [1-7] vs 3 [1-7], p = 0.10), which was within the estimated by the Pan American Health Organization. There were no differences between groups in anthropometric and biochemical parameters.

Conclusion: Supplementation with "red propolis" did not reduce the number of infections in stunted children over 1 year. Possibly, the dilution percentage (3%) may have been insufficient to allow effective action. The protocol of published in the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4n7j6h).

Keywords: Biological products; Imune system; Malnutrition; Respiratory tract infections.