Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .
Probiotics and prevention of atopic disease: 4-year follow-up of a randomised placebo-controlled trial
Perinatal administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG ( ATCC 53103 ) , reduces incidence of atopic eczema in at-risk children during the first 2 years of life ( infancy ) . We have therefore assessed persistence of the potential to prevent atopic eczema at 4 years . Atopic disease was diagnosed on the basis of a question naire and a clinical examination . 14 of 53 children receiving lactobacillus had developed atopic eczema , compared with 25 of 54 receiving placebo  ( relative risk 0.57 , 95 % CI 0.33 - 0.97 ) . Skin prick test reactivity was the same in both groups : ten of 50 children previously given lactobacillus compared with nine of 50 given placebo tested positive . Our results suggest that the preventive effect of lactobacillus GG on atopic eczema extends beyond infancy
Differences were potentially attributable to differences in infant risk , prebiotic formulation or measurement of eczema .
There is insufficient evidence to determine the role of prebiotic supplementation of infant formula for prevention of allergic disease and food hypersensitivity .
Further trials are needed to determine whether this finding persists over a longer period of time , applies to other manifestations of allergic disease , is associated with reductions in allergen sensitisation , and is reproducible
BACKGROUND The composition of the intestinal microflora may be different in individuals with atopic eczema from those without this condition , and such differences may precede the development of eczema .
Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that benefit the host by selectively stimulating the growth or activity of non-pathogenic bacteria in the colon .
Prebiotics ( commonly oligosaccharides ) added to infant feeds have the potential to prevent sensitisation of infants to dietary allergens .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of prebiotics given to infants for the prevention of allergic disease or food hypersensitivity .