Supplementation With Probiotics in the First 6 Months of Life Did Not Protect Against Eczema and Allergy in At-Risk Asian Infants: A 5-Year Follow-up

RESULTS. There were no differences in any of the allergic disease outcomes between the probiotic and placebo groups. Both groups had a similar prevalence of allergic disease generally and asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema specifically. The prevalence of allergic sensitization, according to results of both skin prick testing and IgE testing, was also similar between the 2 groups, as were lung function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels. Post-hoc analyses to determine if any subpopulation exhibited evidence of benefit found that neither maternal allergic history nor delivery mode was associated with a beneficial effect of probiotic supplementation. Because adherence was high (.95%) in the parent RCT, these findings were not attributable to poor adherence. Probiotic supplementation was also not associated with adverse effects at school age, including effects on growth and gastrointestinal symptoms.