Effects of probiotic supplementation on infantile eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, mostly occurring in children. Worldwide prevalence of eczema in childhood increased recently. An altered microbial exposure, and also differences in the intestinal microbiota might affect eczema development. Several clinical trials associated probiotic supplementation in early life with decreased risk of developing eczema.Objectives: The aim of the present study was to systematically review current literature on the impact of probiotic supplementation on infantile eczema.Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science were searched for clinical trials until 2 March 2019 using the following keywords: Probiotic , Symbiotic , Lactobacillus , Streptococcus , Bifidobacterium , Saccharomyces* , Pediococcus , Pediococcus , Infantile eczema and Infantile allergy without any filters activated. Decrease risk of developing atopic eczema during child life was considered as the primary outcome.Results: After excluding non-eligible articles, six randomized clinical trials(RCTs) evaluating the effect of probiotic supplementation on infantile eczema remained. In most of the studies, probiotic supplementation was effective in decreasing the risk of atopic eczema in childhood. But only 2 of 6 studies reported that probiotics can decrease IgE-associated eczema. They were also effective in decreasing TGF-β2 of breast milk and reduction of skin prick test reactivity only in one study. The best results were seen when supplementation started from 35 or 36 weeks gestation and continued to 2 to 6 months after delivery. Supplementation of both mother and infant after delivery was associated with better results.Conclusion: probiotic supplementation was effective in prevention of atopic eczema in children with family history of allergy. But further studies are needed to determine the best type of probiotic and the best time of supplementation.

Keywords:

infantile eczema , allergy , probiotic , intestinal microbiota , atopic dermatitis