The results of the present meta- analysis show that probiotic supplementation  prevents infantile eczema , thus suggesting a new potential indication for probiotic use in pregnancy and infancy
Growing evidence underlines the pivotal role of infant gut colonization in the development of the immune system .
The possibility to modify gut colonization through probiotic supplementation in childhood might prevent atopic diseases .
The aim of the present systematic review and meta- analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy in preventing atopic diseases .
Maternal probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and breast-feeding reduces the risk of eczema in the infant.
BACKGROUND Probiotics have shown promising potential in reducing the risk of eczema in infants . Optimal probiotic intervention regimen remains to be determined . OBJECTIVE We investigated whether maternal probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and breast-feeding reduces the risk of developing eczema in high-risk infants . METHODS This was a parallel , double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 241 mother-infant pairs . Mothers with allergic disease and atopic sensitization were r and omly assigned to receive ( 1 ) Lactobacillus rhamnosus LPR and Bifidobacterium longum BL999 ( LPR+BL999 ) , ( 2 ) L paracasei ST11 and B longum BL999 ( ST11+BL999 ) , or ( 3 ) placebo , beginning 2 months before delivery and during the first 2 months of breast-feeding . The infants were followed until the age of 24 months . Skin prick tests were performed at the ages of 6 , 12 , and 24 months . RESULTS Altogether 205 infants completed the follow-up and were included in the analyses . The risk of developing eczema during the first 24 months of life was significantly reduced in infants of mothers receiving LPR+BL999 ( odds ratio [ OR ] , 0.17 ; 95 % CI , 0.08 - 0.35 ; P < .001 ) and ST11+BL999 ( OR , 0.16 ; 95 % CI , 0.08 - 0.35 ; P < .001 ) . The respective ORs for chronically persistent eczema were 0.30 ( 95 % CI , 0.12 - 0.80 ; P = .016 ) and 0.17 ( 95 % CI , 0.05 - 0.56 ; P = .003 ) . Probiotics had no effect on the risk of atopic sensitization in the infants . No adverse effects were related to the use of probiotics . CONCLUSION Prevention regimen with specific probiotics administered to the pregnant and breast-feeding mother , that is , prenatally and postnatally , is safe and effective in reducing the risk of eczema in infants with allergic mothers positive for skin prick test
The results of the present meta- analysis show that probiotic supplementation  prevents infantile eczema , thus suggesting a new potential indication for probiotic use in pregnancy and infancy
Growing evidence underlines the pivotal role of infant gut colonization in the development of the immune system .
The possibility to modify gut colonization through probiotic supplementation in childhood might prevent atopic diseases .
The aim of the present systematic review and meta- analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy in preventing atopic diseases .