Long-term Finnish study on probiotics and allergic disease

According to a large, five-year study, probiotics may prevent eczema when assessed at 2 years of age, while this effect does not extend to 5 years. However, there does seem to be an effect among caesarean-delivered children. The researchers concluded earlier that these probiotics have no adverse health effects on small children, and reduce respiratory tract infections.

Microbial exposure in early childhood is associated with allergic disease at a later age. In comparison with healthy children, allergic children have a different gastrointestinal microflora, with less lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Against this background, probiotic treatment has often been proposed and studied in relation to allergy prevention. The conclusions vary greatly across studies, with some noting no significant results and others showing positive effects. A five-year study, carried out at the University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Finland, now brings some additional insights. The study, which was published in the January issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, complements earlier publications by the same research group.
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