The Role of Prebiotics and Probiotics in Prevention of Allergic Diseases in Infants

Frontiers in Pediatrics

Silvia Salvatore¹  Enza D'Auria²  Maria Elisabetta Baldassarre³  Simona Sestito⁴  Flora Tarsitano⁴  Valeria Tallarico⁴  Licia Pensabene⁴  Ettore Stefanelli⁴  Daniela Concolino⁵ 

[1] Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale “F. Del Ponte”, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy;Department of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital-University of Milan, Milan, Italy;Neonatology and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Biomedical Science and Human Oncology, “Aldo Moro” University of Bari, Bari, Italy;Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy;Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy;Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy;

关键词: prebiotics;    probiotics;    prevention;    atopic dermatitis;    eczema;    synbiotics;    allergic diseases;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fped.2020.583946

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Allergic diseases have been linked to genetic and/or environmental factors, such as antibiotic use, westernized high fat and low fiber diet, which lead to early intestinal dysbiosis, and account for the rise in allergy prevalence, especially in western countries. Allergic diseases have shown reduced microbial diversity, including fewer lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, within the neonatal microbiota, before the onset of atopic diseases. Raised interest in microbiota manipulating strategies to restore the microbial balance for atopic disease prevention, through prebiotics, probiotics, or synbiotics supplementation, has been reported. We reviewed and discussed the role of prebiotics and/or probiotics supplementation for allergy prevention in infants. We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Database using keywords relating to “allergy” OR “allergic disorders,” “prevention” AND “prebiotics” OR “probiotics” OR “synbiotics.” We limited our evaluation to papers of English language including children aged 0–2 years old. Different products or strains used, different period of intervention, duration of supplementation, has hampered the draw of definitive conclusions on the clinical impact of probiotics and/or prebiotics for prevention of allergic diseases in infants, except for atopic dermatitis in infants at high-risk. This preventive effect on eczema in high-risk infants is supported by clear evidence for probiotics but only moderate evidence for prebiotic supplementation. However, the optimal prebiotic or strain of probiotic, dose, duration, and timing of intervention remains uncertain. Particularly, a combined pre- and post-natal intervention appeared of stronger benefit, although the definition of the optimal intervention starting time during gestation, the timing, and duration in the post-natal period, as well as the best target population, are still an unmet need.

【 授权许可】

CC BY