Probiotic Supplementation and Its Impact on Atopic Dermatitis and Related Conditions in Infants and Children: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews with Meta-Analyses
Rafiei Z
Published in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
Methodology
Umbrella meta-analysis of systematic reviews with meta-analyses, searching PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Cochrane Central Library, EMBASE and Google Scholar from inception to September 2024; random-effects model used where heterogeneity was significant, otherwise fixed-effects; quality of included meta-analyses assessed with AMSTAR2; 22 of 1,302 identified articles included.
Key Findings
This umbrella review pooled 22 meta-analyses (from 1,302 articles screened) on probiotics for atopic dermatitis in infants and children. Probiotics were associated with a notable reduction in atopic dermatitis severity (weighted mean difference -4.16, 95% CI -6.75 to -1.57, p < 0.001) and in eczema (effect size 0.75, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.81, p < 0.001) among infants. Subgroup analysis found that probiotic strain, sample size, duration and population were not significant sources of heterogeneity. No statistically significant link was found between probiotic use and IgE levels, wheezing, allergies or asthma — a null result for the wider allergic conditions.
Conclusions
Our research suggests that probiotics could play a beneficial role in managing AD and eczema.
Limitations
An umbrella review inherits the weaknesses of the underlying meta-analyses, which overlap heavily in the primary trials they include, so the same studies are counted repeatedly; strains, doses and timing vary widely and the benefit does not extend to asthma, allergy or IgE.
Supplements Studied
Our research suggests that probiotics could play a beneficial role in managing AD and eczema.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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