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 .
No effect of probiotics on respiratory allergies: a seven-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in infancy.
BACKGROUND Supplementation with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri reduced the incidence of IgE-associated allergic disease in infancy . This treatment might therefore also reduce the risk of asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in school age . OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether perinatal and infant supplementation with L. reuteri reduced the prevalence of respiratory allergic disease in school age and to explore whether this supplementation was associated with any long-term side effects . METHODS A r and omized , placebo-controlled trial with oral supplementation with L. reuteri ATCC 55730 ( 1 × 10(8 ) CFU ) during the last month of gestation and through the first year of life comprising 232 families with allergic disease , of whom 184 completed a 7-yr follow-up . The primary outcomes at 7 yr of age were allergic disease and skin prick test reactivity ( Clinical Trials.gov ID NCT01285830 ) . RESULTS The prevalence of asthma ( 15 % in the probiotic vs. 16 % in placebo group ) , allergic rhinoconjunctivitis ( 27 % vs. 20 % ) , eczema ( 21 % vs. 19 % ) and skin prick test reactivity ( 29 % vs. 26 % ) was similar in the probiotic and placebo group . Growth indices and gastrointestinal symptoms were similar in the two groups . No severe adverse events were reported . CONCLUSION The effect of L. reuteri on sensitization and IgE-associated eczema in infancy did not lead to a lower prevalence of respiratory allergic disease in school age . Thus , the effect of L. reuteri on the immune system seems to be transient . Administration of L. reuteri during the last weeks of gestation and in infancy was not associated with any long-term side effects
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 .