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Meta-analysis of probiotics and/or prebiotics for the prevention of eczema

Dan Dang1, Wenli Zhou, Zhi Jun Lun

  • 1Neonatal Department, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

The Journal of International Medical Research
|August 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics and synbiotics may help prevent eczema in infants under two years old. Specific combinations of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria showed the most promise in reducing eczema incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Immunology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common inflammatory skin condition in infants.
  • The role of gut microbiota in eczema development is increasingly recognized.
  • Preventive strategies, including probiotics and prebiotics, are being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of probiotics and/or prebiotics in preventing eczema in infants.
  • To investigate the impact of specific bacterial strains on eczema prevention.
  • To assess changes in allergy status (systemic sensitization) associated with pro/prebiotic use.

Main Methods:

  • Meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.
  • Inclusion of studies involving pregnant women, nursing mothers, and infants.
  • Assessment of eczema incidence and systemic sensitization using weighted relative risk ratios (RRR).

Main Results:

  • Probiotics showed a pooled RRR of 0.69 for eczema prevention.
  • Prebiotics alone had a RRR of 0.80, and synbiotics had a RRR of 0.81.
  • Only combinations of non-spore-forming lactobacilli and bifidobacteria significantly reduced eczema incidence.
  • No consistent changes in systemic sensitization were observed.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics and synbiotics may reduce the incidence of eczema in infants under two years of age.
  • Specific combinations of probiotics, particularly lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, appear most effective.
  • Probiotic administration did not significantly alter systemic sensitization in infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
Eczema preventioninfant immune systemmeta-analysisprebioticprobioticsynbiotic

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