When you gotta go, you gotta go — there is nothing worse than having urinary tract infections (UTIs) that impede the flow, especially for children. And while antibiotics are the go-to treatment, consumers are increasingly seeking natural solutions that not only treat common ailments but also prevent them from occurring in the first place.
Researchers at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece studied the impact of a supplement with cranberry, probiotics and vitamin C on the incidence of UTIs in children. This study addresses a gap in pediatric research and demonstrates how dietary supplements support health at all ages.
Why is this finished product study important, and how does it fit current trends?
The combination of science-backed ingredients with complementary mechanisms taps into current trends witnessed on the ground by industry experts.
“Cranberry continues to be the top berry that is sought out for urinary tract health thanks to numerous studies that demonstrate its anti-bacterial adherence properties and support of a healthy urinary tract,” said Melanie Bush, vice president of science and research for Artemis International, an ingredient supplier specializing in berry powders and extracts.
She said the friendliness and familiarity of fruits like cranberries make them an attractive solution for supplement users of all ages.
“From a product development point of view, this fits with what we’re seeing in the market — parents and doctors are looking for safer, more natural options, and probiotics for kids are becoming more popular,” said Kyle Phelps, product development manager for Kaneka Probiotics, a global probiotic manufacturer and supplier.
“This study adds to the evidence that these combination supplements can be a useful tool for children following the trends we have seen in women’s health for more natural treatment of (recurring) UTIs as well making the intervention broader with wider market appeal.”
Maryann Walsh, registered dietitian and consultant, stressed the importance of dosage and form in children’s supplements.
“By paying attention to research with actual pediatric-focused data and age-appropriate dosing, there can be a significant competitive advantage,” she said.
Both Phelps and Walsh highlighted the combination of ingredients used in the supplement formulation.
“These ingredients all can work synergistically, bolstering the effects that cranberry alone can have on supporting urinary tract health,” said Walsh. “The 36 mg PAC (proanthocyanidin) standardization, named probiotic strains with documented CFU (colony-forming units) counts and appropriate vitamin C dosing created a clinically meaningful outcome,” she said.
Phelps also noted probiotics are gaining traction in children’s supplements broadly supporting immune health.
“Certain strains have been shown in studies to help strengthen the body’s natural defenses by supporting the gut‑immune connection, which plays a major role in how children respond to everyday viruses,” he said.
Phelps also cautioned probiotics aren’t a cure but are helpful in reducing incidence and severity of respiratory infections. SupplySide Supplement Journal previously reported on a probiotic blend benefitting children with respiratory viruses.
What is the key takeaway from this prospective study?
Children taking the combination supplement experienced fewer UTIs while taking the product, with equal benefits across age and sex.
What supplement ingredients were studied?
The dietary supplement, marketed as Lactolevure Cran by Uni-Pharma Pharmaceutical Laboratory (Athens, Greece), contains 36 mg PACs from cranberry, 6 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum and 250 mg vitamin C (ascorbic acid). The product is supplied as granules in sachets that are mixed with water before consumption.
The combination provides complementary mechanisms for preventing UTIs. PACs present in cranberries prevent adhesion of Escherichia coli, a common pathogen in UTIs. Probiotics reduce infections by competing with pathogenic bacteria, while vitamin C acidifies urine and functions as an antioxidant.
What were the details of the clinical trial?
Design: The trial was a “prospective, observational cohort study with self-controlled before-after design.” This means researchers monitored participants while taking the supplement and that each subject served as their own control.
Study size: 39 children, ages 3-16, with a history of recurrent UTIs.
Length: Subjects were followed for 12 months, with supplementation occurring during the first 3-6 months.
Dosage: Subjects consumed one sachet daily of the dietary supplement, which contained 36 mg PACs from cranberry, 6 billion CFUs probiotics (L. rhamnosus and B. longum) and 250 mg vitamin C.
Outcomes measured: Researchers recorded incidence of UTIs, presence and severity of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) – when urine flows backwards from bladder into ureter and kidneys) – and adverse reactions. Participants also had a kidney ultrasound at 6 months.
What were the results of this study on urinary tract infections in children?
The study found that children with recurrent UTIs and VUR experienced a significant reduction in mean number of episodes. Nearly 70% of the study participants did not have infections during follow-up.
Researchers did not note any serious adverse events. Twelve percent of the participants reported experiencing mild gastrointestinal side effects.
How does this build upon prior research?
The authors conducted this study to address an identified gap in the literature for non-antibiotic treatments in pediatric UTI patients, reporting “the present study was designed to generate real-world evidence following prior controlled data demonstrating the efficacy of cranberry supplementation in pediatric recurrent UTIs, rather than to replicate a comparative efficacy trial.”
Cranberries have widely been studied in UTI treatment. A meta-analysis in European Urology Focus showed cranberry juice supplementation reduced UTIs by 54%. Scientists in Australia studied the impact of whole cranberry powder supplementation in women, which significantly reduced UTI risk and incidence.
Research investigating the impact of probiotics on urinary health is gaining traction, especially as more science has emerged understanding the urinary microbiome. However, the role of probiotics in pediatric UTI treatment is under question, as a meta-analysis saw no beneficial impacts. Conversely, probiotics may be an effective prophylactic against UTIs in adult women, whether taken orally or vaginally.
