This is a study to evaluate the effects of a prebiotic, AHCC, a standardized extract of cultured Lentinula edodes mycelia, on immunologic markers and the incidence of respiratory tract infections in children.
A three-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot study will be performed in Indonesian healthy children aged 4 to 6 years in Nursery Schools. Subjects will be administered dextrin alone (placebo) or dextrin including AHCC. The incidence of RTI will be the primary outcome, and changes in serum Interferon Gamma (IFN-γ) as the crucial cytokine that acts as anti infective in the immune system will be the secondary outcome. Following completion of the 3 months intervention, participants will enter a 5 months follow up period (Months 4-8). New onset adverse events, ongoing adverse events, serious adverse events, and investigator assessed intervention related adverse events will be collected and evaluated.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
60
Subjects will be administered dextrin including AHCC.
Subjects will be administered dextrin alone (placebo)
Incidence of Respiratory Tract Infection
the number incidence of infections, specifically respiratory tract infection, by looking at the number of febrile days (\>37.5 ◦C) during the test period.
Time frame: 3 months
additional immunological effects
immunomodulatory effects of AHCC, we will be checking serum IFN-γ as a biomarker of immunity at baseline and 3 months after AHCC using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Time frame: 3 months
additional nutritional effect- WAZ score
changes in weight-for-age z-score as sign of growth and nutritional status.
Time frame: 3 months
additional nutritional effect- Weight in gram
changes in weight in gram as sign of growth and nutritional status.
Time frame: 3 months
additional nutritional effect- HAZ score
changes in height-for-age z-score as sign of growth and nutritional status.
Time frame: 3 months
additional nutritional effect- Height in cm
changes in height in cm as sign of growth and nutritional status.
Time frame: 3 months
additional nutritional effect- WHZ score
changes in weight-for-height z-score as sign of growth and nutritional status.
Time frame: 3 months
additional nutritional effect- Head circumference in cm
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changes in head circumference in cm as sign of growth and nutritional status.
Time frame: 3 months