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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
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Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels

Published on: August 7, 2017

Airway inflammation in probiotic-treated children at 5 years

Anna K Kukkonen1, Mikael Kuitunen, Erkki Savilahti

  • 1The Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. kaarina.kukkonen@hus.fi

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|February 22, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Early probiotic and prebiotic use in infants did not reduce long-term airway inflammation. This allergy prevention trial found no significant difference in exhaled nitric oxide levels at age five.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Microbiome Research
  • Respiratory Health

Background:

  • Early probiotic interventions show promise in reducing atopic eczema risk in newborns.
  • Long-term effects of probiotics on airway inflammation remain unclear.
  • Understanding early life interventions for allergic diseases is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the long-term impact of probiotic and prebiotic supplementation on airway inflammation in children.
  • To assess airway inflammation at age 5 years following early-life probiotic treatment.
  • To evaluate the relationship between probiotic intervention, allergic sensitization, and airway inflammation markers.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled allergy prevention trial involving 1018 infants.
  • Probiotic and prebiotic combination or placebo administered for the first six months of life.
  • Exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) measured at age 5 in a sub-population (n=160); allergic diseases and IgE sensitization assessed in all participants.

Main Results:

  • No significant difference in median FE(NO) levels between the probiotic and placebo groups (5.45 vs. 5.70 ppb, p=0.22).
  • Elevated FE(NO) was observed in children with asthma compared to healthy, non-sensitized children (p=0.009).
  • FE(NO) showed a positive correlation with total and allergen-specific IgE concentrations.

Conclusions:

  • Early-life intervention with probiotics and prebiotics does not appear to influence airway inflammation in later childhood.
  • Probiotic supplementation in infancy does not prevent long-term airway inflammation.
  • FE(NO) levels are associated with asthma and IgE sensitization in early childhood.

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