Probiotics During Pregnancy May Help Allergy Health in Newborns

by | Sep 5, 2008 | 2008, Allergies, Infant and Children's Health, Pregnancy and Lactation

Written by Greg Arnold, DC, CSCS. When allergic mothers took probiotics during pregnancy and breast-fed their infants for more than 2.5 months, only 26% of the at-risk infants in the probiotic group were sensitized for allergies while 50% of at-risk infants in the control group were sensitized.

A recent study (1) has found that probiotics, suggested in previous research to possibly play a role in pregnancy health (2), may also help with infant allergies. These allergies cost our healthcare system $7 billion per year (3). In the study, 171 women with newborns (4) were given either probiotics containing lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis (1 × 1010 colony forming units each per day) or placebo from the first trimester of pregnancy to the end of exclusive breastfeeding. The researchers collected breast milk immediately after birth to measure for levels of inflammatory proteins that included IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-6, IL-4 and IL-2.  They also tested allergy sensitivity in the infants by performing the skin prick test (SPT).

The researchers found there were no significant differences overall in the infants’ risk of allergies between the two groups (29% of probiotic infants vs. 31% of placebo infants). However, a significant risk reduction was seen in infants breastfed for more than 2.5 months by mothers with allergies.  Specifically, only 26% of the at-risk infants in the probiotic group were sensitized for allergies while 50% of at-risk infants in the control group were sensitized.

While stating that “probiotics belong among the promising means of combating the allergy epidemic”, the reduced risk of allergies in infants through probiotic supplementation led the researchers to conclude that “the critical period of pregnancy and breastfeeding may be the window of opportunity in allergy prevention.”

Source: Dotterud, C. K., O. Storrø, R. Johnsen, and T. Øien. “Probiotics in pregnant women to prevent allergic disease: a randomized, double‐blind trial.” British Journal of Dermatology 163, no. 3 (2010): 616-623.

© 2010 The Authors

Posted September 5, 2008.

References:

  1. Huurre A.  Impact of maternal atopy and probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on infant sensitization: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Clin Exp Allergy 2008; 28(8): 1342-1348.  Published Online: May 8 2008. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03008.x.
  2. Ponzetto A.  Pre-eclampsia is associated with Helicobacter pylori seropositivity in Italy.   J Hypert 2006; 24(12): 2445-2449.
  3. “Allergy Facts and Figures” posted on the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
  4. Piirainen T, Isolauri E, Lagström H, Laitinen K. Impact of dietary counselling on nutrient intake during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. Br J Nutr 2006; 96:1095–104