There is no mention of feeding methods in this study but am I wrong to 
assume that these babies were fed with AIM?

Ellen Penchuk, IBCLC, RLC

Probiotic supplementation for the first 6 months of life fails to reduce the risk 
of atopic dermatitis and increases the risk of allergen sensitization in high-risk 
children: A randomized controlled trial
Angie L. Taylor, BSc Hons, Janet A. Dunstan, BAplSc, PhD, Susan L. Prescott, 
MBBS, PhD, FRACP

Received 31 May 2006; received in revised form 25 August 2006; accepted 29 
August 2006 published online 18 October 2006.

Perth, Australia

Background
Despite preliminary evidence, the role of probiotics in allergy prevention is 
unclear.

Objective
To determine whether early probiotic supplementation prevents allergic 
disease in high-risk infants.

Methods
Newborns of women with allergy (n = 231) received either Lactobacillus 
acidophilus (LAVRI-A1) or placebo daily for the first 6 months of life. Children 
were assessed for atopic dermatitis (AD) and other symptoms at 6 and 12 
months and had allergen skin prick tests (SPT) at 12 months of age.

Results
A total of 178 infants completed the supplementation period. Those in the 
probiotic group showed significantly higher rates of Lactobacillus colonization 
(P = .039). At 6 months, AD rates were similar in the probiotic (n = 23/89; 
25.8%) and placebo (n = 20/88; 22.7%) groups (P = .629). There was also no 
difference at 12 months, although the proportion of children with SPT+AD was 
significantly higher in the probiotic group (P = .045). At 12 months, the rate of 
sensitization was significantly higher in the probiotic group (P = .030). The 
presence of culturable Lactobacilli or Bifidobacterium in stools in the first 
month of life was not associated with the risk of subsequent sensitization or 
disease; however, the presence of Lactobacillus at 6 months of age was 
associated with increased risk of subsequent cow's milk sensitization (P 
= .012).

Conclusion
Early probiotic supplementation with L acidophilus did not reduce the risk of AD 
in high-risk infants and was associated with increased allergen sensitization in 
infants receiving supplements. The long-term significance of the increased 
rate of sensitization needs to be investigated in further studies.

Clinical implications
These findings challenge the role of probiotics in allergy prevention.

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