Gut health and the The Probiotic Shield
The use of probiotics has gained popularity in recent years, not only for digestive health but also for its potential anti-inflammatory effects. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis (Wang et al, 2023 PMID: 37181018) published in the journal Translational Pediatrics has delved into the controversial topic of the efficacy of probiotics in preventing atopic dermatitis (AD) in children, a condition commonly referred to as eczema.
The study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of probiotics in preventing AD in children by analyzing 37 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2,986 children in the experimental group and 3,145 in the control group.
The results indicated that taking probiotics was more effective than taking a placebo in preventing AD, demonstrating a 17% reduction in the risk of developing eczema in children who were given probiotics Moreover, the clinical efficacy of probiotics was more significant in certain sub-groups: mothers and infants, before and after childbirth, those administered with Lactobacillus rhamnosus or mixed probiotics, follow-up time of 2 years or less, and studies conducted in Europe.
The findings of this study are in alignment with an older systematic review published in (Cuello-Garcia et al, 2015 PMID: 26044853), which also concluded that probiotics used by pregnant women or breast-feeding mothers and/or given to infants reduced the risk of eczema in infants.
Despite the promising results, the authors noted the heterogeneity of the study results, suggesting the need for confirmation in follow-up studies. Nonetheless, this comprehensive analysis provides compelling evidence that probiotic intervention may offer an effective means of preventing AD in children, particularly in specific sub-groups.
In conclusion, while further studies are needed to confirm these findings, incorporating probiotics into the diet of expecting mothers, infants, and young children, particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus or mixed probiotics, could be a proactive approach to reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis in children.
