Probiotics Do Not Prevent Eczema at Age 2 Years

One hypothesis proposed to explain the recent increase in allergic disease is a reduction in microbial exposure during the first year of life. Meta-analyses suggest that probiotics might modestly reduce eczema (but not asthma or food allergy) in children, but randomized trials have yielded conflicting results.

To assess the efficacy of perinatal exposure to probiotics in preventing clinically diagnosed eczema in infants until age 2 years (primary endpoint), investigators conducted an industry-supported trial in the U.K. They randomized 454 pregnant women to receive a daily capsule of probiotic therapy (a mixture of 2 lactobacilli strains and 2 bifidobacteria strains) or placebo starting at 36 weeks' gestation. After birth, the capsule was op…