title: Meta-analysis of probiotics and/or prebiotics for the prevention of eczema.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The efficacy of probiotics and/or prebiotics for preventing eczema in infants remains unclear. This meta-analysis evaluated published studies on pro/prebiotics for eczema prevention, investigating bacterial strain efficacy and changes to the allergy status of the children involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were analysed, irrespective of bacterial strains used in the pro/prebiotics. Studies of pregnant women, nursing mothers and infants receiving pro/prebiotics were included. All infant participants were assessed within 2 years of birth. Incidences of eczema and systemic sensitization were measured by weighted relative risk ratios (RRR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 14 studies on probiotics had a pooled RRR of 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62, 0.78). Three studies on prebiotic consumption showed a RRR of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.54, 1.18). One study of mixed pro/prebiotic (synbiotic) strains found a RRR ratio of 0.81 (95% CI: 0.66, 0.99). No consistent sensitization changes were found. Only the combination of nonspore lactobacilli and bifidobacteria reduced the incidence of eczema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This meta-analysis found that probiotics or synbiotics may reduce the incidence of eczema in infants aged <2 years. Systemic sensitization did not change following probiotic administration.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Department, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Wenli
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Zhi Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Lun
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: Dong Xuan
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001644:Bifidobacterium / Q000276:immunology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004485:Eczema / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007778:Lactobacillus / Q000276:immunology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D056692:Prebiotics; D011247:Pregnancy; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics
keywords: Eczema prevention; infant immune system; meta-analysis; prebiotic; probiotic; synbiotic