Early Probiotic Supplementation for the Prevention of Atopic Disease inNewborns—Probiotics and the Hygiene Hypothesis—

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Environmental factors during early infancy could theoretically affect immune systemdevelopment and subsequent risk of allergic disease. One potentially helpful exposure isearly infant supplementation with specific probiotic strains. Unlike other exposures,probiotic supplementation is feasible and has a good safety profile. A review of recentrandomized, controlled trials suggests that the effect of supplementation with probioticson preventing the development of allergic disease is mixed. Further studies are needed todefine potential mechanisms of action, such as effects on infant microbiota, as well aspotential subgroups of patients that may benefit from these interventions.