Abstract
BackgroundPerinatal probiotics supplementation has been shown to be effective in the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood, although the long term effects of probiotics on AD and other allergic diseases is less certain. We have previously reported a significant reduction in the cumulative incidence of AD at 2 years after maternal probiotic supplementation. In this study we present the effects of perinatal probiotics given to women from a general population on allergy related diseases in their offspring at 6 years.MethodsFour hundred and fifteen pregnant women were randomised to receive probiotic or placebo milk in a double-blinded trial from 36 week gestation until 3 months postpartum. Probiotic milk contained Lactobacillus rhamnosos GG, L. acidophilus La-5 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Bb-12. At 6 years, children were re-assessed for AD, atopic sensitisation, asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC).ResultsAt 6 years, 81 and 82 children were assessed for AD in the probiotic and placebo groups, respectively. In a multiple imputation analysis, there was as trend towards a lower cumulative incidence of AD in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group (OR 0.64, 95 % CI 0.39-1.07, p = 0.086; NNT = 10). This finding was statistically significantly in the complete case analysis (OR 0.48, 95 % CI 0.25-0.92, p = 0.027, NNT = 6). The prevalence of asthma and atopic sensitisation, and the cumulative incidence of ARC were not significantly affected by the probiotic regime at 6 years of age.ConclusionsMaternal probiotic ingestion alone may be sufficient for long term reduction in the cumulative incidence of AD, but not other allergy related diseases.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00159523Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12895-015-0030-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Perinatal probiotics supplementation has been shown to be effective in the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood, the long term effects of probiotics on AD and other allergic diseases is less certain
Maternal probiotic ingestion alone may be sufficient for long term reduction in the cumulative incidence of AD, but not other allergy related diseases
Probiotics have been investigated in the prevention and treatment of allergy related diseases [3,4,5,6,7,8], with the strongest evidence emerging for the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis [3,4,5]
Summary
Perinatal probiotics supplementation has been shown to be effective in the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) in early childhood, the long term effects of probiotics on AD and other allergic diseases is less certain. In this study we present the effects of perinatal probiotics given to women from a general population on allergy related diseases in their offspring at 6 years. Atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (ARC) are a major cause of chronic disease in childhood. Probiotics have been investigated in the prevention and treatment of allergy related diseases [3,4,5,6,7,8], with the strongest evidence emerging for the primary prevention of atopic dermatitis [3,4,5].
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