The best evidence lies with probiotics supplementation in mothers and infants in preventing development and reducing severity of AD .
Specifically , Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was effective in long-term prevention of AD development .
γ-Linolenic acid reduced severity of AD .
Supplementation with prebiotics and black currant seed oil ( γ-linolenic acid and ω-3 combination ) was effective in reducing the development of AD .
Certain types of nutrient supplementation are beneficial in preventing AD development and reducing its severity .
OBJECTIVE To identify whether nutrient supplementation with probiotics , prebiotics , formula , or fatty acids prevents the development of  atopic dermatitis ( AD ) or reduces the severity of AD in newborns to children younger than 3 years .
Gamma-linolenic acid supplementation for prophylaxis of atopic dermatitis--a randomized controlled trial in infants at high familial risk.
BACKGROUND Studies suggest that low concentrations of n-6 long-chain polyenes in early life are correlated to atopic disease in later life . OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible preventive effect of gamma-linolenic acid ( GLA ) supplementation on the development of  atopic dermatitis in infants at risk . DESIGN In a double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled trial , formula-fed infants ( n = 118 ) with a maternal history of atopic disease received borage oil supplement ( containing 100 mg GLA ) or sunflower oil supplement as a placebo daily for the first 6 mo of life . Main outcome measures were the incidence of atopic dermatitis in the first year of life ( by UK Working Party criteria ) , the severity of atopic dermatitis ( SCORing Atopic Dermatitis ; SCORAD ) , and the total serum immunoglobulin E ( IgE ) concentration at the age of 1 y. RESULTS The intention-to-treat analysis showed a favorable trend for severity of atopic dermatitis associated with GLA supplementation ( x+/- SD SCORAD : 6.32 + /- 5.32 ) in the GLA-supplemented group as compared with 8.28 + /- 6.54 in the placebo group ( P = 0.09 ; P = 0.06 after adjustment for total serum IgE at baseline , age 1 wk ) , but no significant effects on the other atopic outcomes . The increase in GLA concentrations in plasma phospholipids between baseline and 3 mo was negatively associated with the severity of atopic dermatitis at 1 y ( Spearman 's correlation coefficient = -0.233 , P = 0.013 ) . There was no significant effect on total serum IgE concentration . CONCLUSION Early supplementation with GLA in children at high familial risk does not prevent the expression of atopy as reflected by total serum IgE , but it tends to alleviate the severity of atopic dermatitis in later infancy in these children
The best evidence lies with probiotics supplementation in mothers and infants in preventing development and reducing severity of AD .
Specifically , Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was effective in long-term prevention of AD development .
γ-Linolenic acid reduced severity of AD .
Supplementation with prebiotics and black currant seed oil ( γ-linolenic acid and ω-3 combination ) was effective in reducing the development of AD .
Certain types of nutrient supplementation are beneficial in preventing AD development and reducing its severity .
OBJECTIVE To identify whether nutrient supplementation with probiotics , prebiotics , formula , or fatty acids prevents the development of  atopic dermatitis ( AD ) or reduces the severity of AD in newborns to children younger than 3 years .