Supplementation with Probiotics in the First 6 Months of Life Did Not Protect against Eczema and Allergy in At-Risk Asian Infants: A 5-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Background: Healthy gut microflora is essential for oral tolerance and immunity. A promising approach to preventing allergic diseases in genetically at-risk infants is to introduce administration of probiotics early in life when their immune system is still relatively immature. Objective: In this follow-up study, we aim to determine if early-life supplementation with strains of probiotics has any long-term effect on allergic outcomes. Methods: We analyzed the charts and electronic databases of the PROMPT (Probiotics in Milk for the Prevention of Atopy Trial) study cohort. This cohort consisted of 253 infants at risk for allergy who were administered cow's milk supplemented with or without probiotics from the first day of life to the age of 6 months. The cohort was then followed up until the children were 5 years old and clinical outcomes were assessed. Results: Of the 253 children recruited into the study, 220 (87%) completed the follow-up. At the age of 5 years, there were no significant differences between the groups in the proportion of children who had developed any asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, food allergy and sensitization to inhalant allergens. Similar growth rates were observed in both groups. Conclusions: The supplementation of probiotics in early childhood did not play a role in the prevention of allergic diseases. Clinical/Key Message: Early-life supplementation with probiotics did not change allergic outcomes at 5 years of age.

The gut microbiota and inflammatory noncommunicable diseases: Associations and potentials for gut microbiota therapies

“…If prenatal microbial exposure enhances the preventive effect, as also suggested by epidemiological 71,72 and experimental studies 73 , starting supplementation in the second trimester of pregnancy, when circulating fetal T cells have developed, may be more effective 8 . This may include effects on asthma development, which so far probiotic interventions have failed to prevent [74][75][76][77][78][79][80] . Using non-conventional probiotics such as butyrate and proprionate producers, immunomodulatory strains of West 15 bacteroides 8,30 or clostridia 81 might also induce stronger effects.…”

Food allergy in Singapore: opening a new chapter

“…(43,44) A study from Singapore has shown that consuming probiotics in the first six months of life does not impact allergic outcomes. (45) The timing of introduction of complementary solids in infancy is a persistent source of contention in allergy prevention. It is possible that despite rapid urbanisation in Singapore, maintenance of traditional dietary practices such as early introduction of egg and fish in rice porridge, and peanut in soups may have contributed to the low rates of food allergy.…”

Effects of Oral Administration of <b><i>Lactobacillus acidophilus </i></b>L-92 on the Symptoms and Serum Cytokines of Atopic Dermatitis in Japanese Adults: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Clinical Trial

“…However, based on a once-yearly follow-up cohort study on children up to the age of 5 years, Loo et al [14 ]found that the early use of probiotics had no significant effect on eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergy or sensitization to dust-mite allergens.…”