title: Maternal use of probiotics during pregnancy and effects on their offspring's health in an unselected population.
abstract: Probiotics are used by women in the perinatal period and may improve balance of microbiota, with possible health benefits for both mother and baby. Characteristics and (health) behaviour patterns of mothers using probiotics during pregnancy, and health effects on their offspring, were investigated. Differences between mothers using probiotics during pregnancy and those who did not, were assessed. In total, 341 out of 2491 (13.7%) mothers reported use of probiotics during pregnancy. There were no significant differences in maternal features (gestation, age, ethnicity, education) between users and non-users. Logistic regression analyses showed that consumption of probiotics was significantly associated with use of homeopathic products [odds ratio (OR) 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.33, p = 0.005], maternal history of smoking (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.25-2.37, p = 0.001) and paternal history of smoking (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.01-1.89, p = 0.05). Common disease symptoms during the first year of life in the offspring did not differ between both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of probiotics or other health-related products without doctor's prescription during pregnancy might point to compensation for types of less favourable behaviour. Probiotic use during pregnancy does not seem to induce positive health effects in the offspring in an unselected population.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Aberrant microbiota compositions have been detected during critical periods when early programming occurs including pregnancy and early neonatal life. Probiotics modulate intestinal microbiota composition and are associated with positive health effects.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The use of probiotics or other health-related products without doctor's prescription during pregnancy is associated with and might point to compensation for types of less favourable behaviour. Probiotic use during pregnancy does not induce positive health effects in the offspring in this unselected population.
authors: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Room KH.01.419.0, PO Box 85090, Utrecht, 3508 AB, The Netherlands. n.b.m.m.rutten@umcutrecht.nl.|Department of Pediatrics, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, Nieuwegein, 3430 EM, The Netherlands. n.b.m.m.rutten@umcutrecht.nl.
authors: Nicole
authors: N
authors: Rutten
authors: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Room KH.01.419.0, PO Box 85090, Utrecht, 3508 AB, The Netherlands. annevandergugten@hotmail.com.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Van der Gugten
authors: Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, PO Box 85500, Utrecht, 3508 GA, The Netherlands. c.s.p.m.uiterwaal@umcutrecht.nl.
authors: Cuno
authors: C
authors: Uiterwaal
authors: Department of Pediatrics, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, Nieuwegein, 3430 EM, The Netherlands. a.vlieger@antoniusziekenhuis.nl.
authors: Arine
authors: A
authors: Vlieger
authors: Laboratory of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, St. Antonius Hospital, PO Box 2500, Nieuwegein, 3430 EM, The Netherlands. g.rijkers@ucr.nl.|Department of Sciences, University College Roosevelt, PO Box 94, Middelburg, 4330 AB, The Netherlands. g.rijkers@ucr.nl.
authors: Ger
authors: G
authors: Rijkers
authors: Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Room KH.01.419.0, PO Box 85090, Utrecht, 3508 AB, The Netherlands. K.vanderEnt@umcutrecht.nl.
authors: Kors
authors: K
authors: Van der Ent
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000068104:Infant Health; D016015:Logistic Models; D000068097:Maternal Health; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D064307:Microbiota / Q000187:drug effects*; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D039401:Prenatal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies
keywords: Behavioural patterns; Health effects; Pregnancy; Probiotics