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Published on: September 26, 2019
Prospective, randomized controlled trial on Lactobacillus rhamnosus in infants with moderate to severe atopic
R Fölster-Holst1, F Müller, N Schnopp
1Department of Dermatology, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany. rfoelsterholst@dermatology.uni-kiel.de
Insights
This study found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) did not effectively reduce symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants. Researchers could not confirm LGG as a beneficial treatment for infant AD.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric dermatology
- Microbiome research
- Clinical immunology
Background:
- Previous studies suggested Lactobacillus rhamnosus may reduce atopic dermatitis (AD) symptoms in infants.
- However, a study in older children did not show similar benefits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the efficacy of oral Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) in infants diagnosed with atopic dermatitis.
- To reassess the potential of LGG as a treatment for infant AD.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 54 infants (1-55 months) with moderate to severe AD.
- Participants received daily 10 x 10(9) colony-forming units of LGG or placebo for 8 weeks.
- Use of emollients, topical corticosteroids (class I-II), and antihistamines was permitted.
Main Results:
- LGG administration was well-tolerated by infants.
- No significant differences were observed between LGG and placebo groups in clinical symptoms (SCORAD, pruritus, sleep loss).
- No significant differences were found in topical corticosteroid use, antihistamine use, immunological parameters, or parental quality of life.
Conclusions:
- The study results do not support the use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) for treating atopic dermatitis in infancy.
- Further research may be needed to clarify the role of probiotics in infant AD.
Background:
A reduction of symptoms of atopic dermatitis (AD) in small infants by the administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus has been reported in a few studies. One study with older children and adolescents failed to show any effect.
Objectives:
We conducted a prospective study to reassess the efficacy of orally administered L. rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) in infants with AD.
Methods:
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 54 infants aged 1-55 months with moderate to severe AD were randomized to daily 10 x 10(9) colony-forming units of LGG or to placebo during an 8-week intervention phase. Emollients, class I-II topical corticosteroids and antihistamines were permitted.
Results:
The treatment with LGG was well tolerated. At the end of treatment there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to clinical symptoms (SCORAD, pruritus, sleep loss), the use of topical corticosteroids and antihistamines, immunological parameters, or health-related quality of life of the parents.
Conclusions:
Our results could not confirm LGG as an effective treatment of AD in infancy.
