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Preventive probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and infancy has shown some promise in reducing atopic dermatitis, and factors that disrupt gut flora, such as antibiotics and lack of breast-feeding, are associated with increased risk for asthma. Can probiotics prevent asthma? Researchers examined this question in a thorough systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials (primarily from developed countries) involving 4866 infants who were followed for a median of 24 months.
Probiotics were given to infants in 10 trials, pregnant women only in 1 trial, and both women and infants in 9 trials. Duration (range, 1–25 months), species/strain, and dose of probiotic supplementation varied greatly. About 10% of children in…