SOVREMENNAYA PEDIATRIYA.2015.8(72):14-21 

Probiotics in the treatment of the atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome in infants: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 

Viljanen M., E. Savilahti, T. Haahtela, K. Juntunen-Backman, R. Korpela, T. Poussa, T. Tuure, M. Kuitunen

The Skin and Allergy Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland

The Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki, Finland

Valio Research and Development, Helsinki, Finland

Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Finland

STAT-Consulting, Tampere, Finland 

Probiotic bacteria reduce the severity of the symptoms of atopic eczema/dermatitis (AEDS) in children with food allergies. 

The aim of the study was to establish the possible beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria during the AEDS. 

Patients and methods. The study included 230 children with AEDS and suspected allergy to cow's milk. After randomization children over four weeks applied Lactobacillus GG (LGG) by the way of double4blind study and a mixture of four strains of probiotic or placebo. At the same time they had eliminated diet and received local therapy. The severity of the AEDS in the study was evaluated by a SCORAD scale. After four weeks from the end of the treatment in 120 children due to the used double4blind, placebo4controlled provocation test was diagnosed allergy to cow's milk. 

Results. In the main study group the median SCORAD index decreased to 65% (source index was 32.5), but between the treatment groups was no difference, as after the main treatment period so after four weeks of its completion. In children with an allergy to cow's milk was not detected any significant changes after treatment. But in infants with IgE4sensitivity in the LGG group SCORAD index decreased more than in the placebo group (-26,1 vs 419,8; P=0,036), in comparison with the figures at the beginning of the study and after four weeks after the end of therapy. Excluding from the analysis children, who had taken antibiotics, greatly increased the difference between the treatment groups in infants with IgE-sensitivity. 

Conclusions. Treatment of LGG can reduce the expression of AEDS symptoms in children with IgE-sensitivity, but not in children without IgE-sensitivity. 

Key words: atopic dermatitis, food allergy, infants, Lactobacillus GG, probiotic, treatment.