Probiotics in late infancy reduce the incidence of eczema: A randomized controlled trial

TY - JOUR

T1 - Probiotics in late infancy reduce the incidence of eczema

T2 - A randomized controlled trial

AU - Schmidt, Rikke Meineche

AU - Laursen, Rikke Pilmann

AU - Bruun, Signe

AU - Larnkjær, Anni

AU - Mølgaard, Christian

AU - Michaelsen, Kim F.

AU - Høst, Arne

N1 - CURIS 2019 NEXS 070 © 2019 EAACI and John Wiley and Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2019/5

Y1 - 2019/5

N2 - Background: Allergic diseases are common and represent a considerable health and economic burden worldwide. We aimed to examine the effect of a combination of two probiotic strains administered in late infancy and early childhood on the development of allergic diseases and sensitization.Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial, participants were randomized to receive a daily mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis or placebo-starting prior to attending day care. The intervention period was 6 months, and the parents answered web-based questionnaires on allergic symptoms and doctor's diagnosed allergic disease monthly. IgE was measured at baseline and follow-up.Results: A total of 290 participants were randomized: 144 in the probiotic group and 146 in the placebo group. Mean age at intervention start was 10.1 months. At follow-up (mean age 16.1 months), the incidence of eczema was 4.2% in the probiotic group and 11.5% in the placebo group (P = 0.036). The incidence of asthma and conjunctivitis did not differ between groups, and no children presented with rhinitis. Sensitization was equal in the two groups at intervention start (7.5% and 9.5%, respectively), and two children in each group were sensitized during the intervention.Conclusions: We observed a significantly lower incidence of eczema in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. The probiotics were administered in late infancy-prior to attending day care-suggesting a broader window of opportunity using probiotics in the prevention of eczema. The incidence of asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and sensitization did not differ.

AB - Background: Allergic diseases are common and represent a considerable health and economic burden worldwide. We aimed to examine the effect of a combination of two probiotic strains administered in late infancy and early childhood on the development of allergic diseases and sensitization.Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial, participants were randomized to receive a daily mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis or placebo-starting prior to attending day care. The intervention period was 6 months, and the parents answered web-based questionnaires on allergic symptoms and doctor's diagnosed allergic disease monthly. IgE was measured at baseline and follow-up.Results: A total of 290 participants were randomized: 144 in the probiotic group and 146 in the placebo group. Mean age at intervention start was 10.1 months. At follow-up (mean age 16.1 months), the incidence of eczema was 4.2% in the probiotic group and 11.5% in the placebo group (P = 0.036). The incidence of asthma and conjunctivitis did not differ between groups, and no children presented with rhinitis. Sensitization was equal in the two groups at intervention start (7.5% and 9.5%, respectively), and two children in each group were sensitized during the intervention.Conclusions: We observed a significantly lower incidence of eczema in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. The probiotics were administered in late infancy-prior to attending day care-suggesting a broader window of opportunity using probiotics in the prevention of eczema. The incidence of asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and sensitization did not differ.

KW - Faculty of Science

KW - Allergic diseases

KW - Allergy

KW - Atopy

KW - Bifidobacterium animalis subsp lactis

KW - Lactobacillus rhamnosus

KW - RCT

KW - Sensitization

U2 - 10.1111/pai.13018

DO - 10.1111/pai.13018

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 30790361

SN - 0905-6157

VL - 30

SP - 335

EP - 340

JO - Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

JF - Pediatric Allergy and Immunology

IS - 3

ER -