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Long‐term safety and efficacy of perinatal probiotic intervention: Evidence from a follow‐up study of four randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials
Author(s) -
Lundelin Krista,
Poussa Tuija,
Salminen Seppo,
Isolauri Erika
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.12675
Subject(s) - medicine , lactobacillus rhamnosus , bifidobacterium longum , probiotic , placebo , bifidobacterium breve , randomized controlled trial , pediatrics , bifidobacterium , lactobacillus , genetics , alternative medicine , pathology , bacteria , biology
Background Societies worldwide are faced with a progressive increase in immune‐mediated health problems such as allergic, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases, as well as obesity. Perinatal administration of specific probiotic bacteria is an attractive approach in reducing the risk of these conditions, but long‐term efficacy and safety data are lacking. The aim here was to evaluate the clinical benefit and long‐term safety of specific probiotics administered during the perinatal period. Methods The probiotic strains used were Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG , Bifidobacterium lactis Bb‐12, Lactobacillus paracasei ST 11, and Bifidobacterium longum BL 999. The children involved have subsequently undergone prospective long‐term follow‐up. In addition to physical examination, data were collected by structured questionnaires on non‐communicable diseases and continued probiotic use, and growth data from welfare clinics and school nurses. Results Altogether 303 mother–infant pairs were included in the analysis. Seventy‐six of 163 (47%) children receiving perinatal probiotics had developed allergic disease compared with 79 of 140 (56%) receiving placebo ( OR 0.67, 95% confidence intervals [ CI ] 0.43–1.06, p = 0.09). Fifty‐nine of 133 (44%) children receiving L. rhamnosus GG perinatally had developed allergic disease, OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.38–0.99, p = 0.047, as compared to placebo. We found no differences in growth or non‐communicable disease prevalence between children receiving perinatally probiotics or placebo. Conclusions Perinatal probiotic administration is safe in long‐term follow‐up. Children receiving L. rhamnosus GG perinatally tended to have decreased allergy prevalence.