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Updated: Oct 30, 2025
Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage
Published on: January 27, 2019
Postnatal probiotics administration does not prevent asthma in children, but using prebiotics or synbiotics may be
Ewelina Wawryk-Gawda1, Ewa Markut-Miotła2, Andrzej Emeryk2
1Department of Paediatric Pulmonology and Rheumatology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland; ewelina.wawryk-gawda@umlub.pl.
Insights
Probiotics supplementation in infancy did not prevent asthma in high-risk children. However, prebiotics and synbiotics show potential in reducing asthma incidence in early childhood.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Immunology
- Microbiome research
Background:
- The role of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in preventing allergic diseases is under investigation.
- Conflicting results exist regarding their effect on asthma and allergic rhinitis incidence when supplemented during infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential effects of pro-, pre-, and synbiotics supplementation in early childhood.
- To determine their impact on the future occurrence of allergic diseases, specifically asthma.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Search conducted across multiple medical databases.
- Study selection and risk-of-bias assessment followed PRISMA guidelines.
Main Results:
- Eleven RCTs involving 1659 children were analyzed.
- No significant difference in asthma risk was found between probiotic and placebo groups.
- Children receiving prebiotics and synbiotics showed a lower risk of asthma compared to control groups.
Conclusions:
- Infant probiotic supplementation does not appear to decrease asthma risk in high-risk children.
- Prebiotics and synbiotics may serve as potential preventive factors against childhood asthma development.
Background:
The role of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in preventing asthma and other allergic diseases has been widely explored via many randomized controlled trials. However, the results on the effect of their supplementation during infancy to the incidence of allergic rhinitis or asthma, are conflicting.The study was designed to bring to light the potential effects of pro-, pre-, and synbiotics supplementation in early childhood with regard to the future occurrence of allergic diseases.
Method:
The results of randomized controlled trials were searched for in several medical data bases. The study protocol was prepared in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and applied a Revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. Two writers were designed to perform studies selection.
Results:
Eleven randomized controlled trials, among 1659 children (525 in the probiotic group, 342 in prebiotic group, 128 in synbiotic group and 833 in control groups) were analyzed. There was no difference in asthma risk development between the groups that received probiotics or placebo. We observed lower risk of asthma in children receiving prebiotic and synbiotic than in control groups.
Conclusion:
The current study indicates that probiotics supplementation in the first months after birth does not decrease the risk of asthma development in the first years of life in high-risk children, although prebiotics and synbiotics may be the potential preventive factors that reduce the incidence of asthma in children.
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