Prenatal and postnatal probiotics reduces maternal but not childhood allergic diseases: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background The prevalence of atopic diseases has increased rapidly in recent decades globally. The administration of probiotics to reduce gastrointestinal inflammation has been popular, but its role in the prevention or treatment of allergic disease remains controversial. This study evaluated the effectiveness of prenatal and postnatal probiotics in the prevention of early childhood and maternal allergic diseases. Methods In a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, pregnant women with atopic diseases determined by history, total immunoglobulin (Ig)E > 100 kU/L, and/or positive specific IgE were assigned to receive either probiotics (Lactobacillus GG; ATCC 53103; 1 x 1010 colony-forming units daily) or placebo from the second trimester of pregnancy. Both of clinical evaluation performed by questionnaires concerning any allergic symptoms and plasma total IgE, and allergen-specific IgE were obtained in high-risk parents and children at 0, 6, 18, and 36 months of age. The primary and secondary outcomes were the point and cumulative prevalence of sensitization and developing of allergic diseases, and improvement of maternal allergic symptom score and plasma immune parameters before and after intervention, respectively. Results In total, 191 pregnant women (LGG group, n = 95; control group, n = 96) were enrolled. No significant effects of prenatal and postnatal probiotics supplementation on sensitization, development of allergic diseases, and maternal IgE levels between placebo and LGG groups. Symptoms of maternal allergic scores improved significantly in the LGG group (P = 0.002). Maternal allergic diseases improvement was more prominent in pregnant women with IgE > 100 kU/L (P = 0.01) and significantly associated with higher interleukin-12p70 levels (P = 0.013). Conclusions LGG administration beginning at the second trimester of pregnancy reduced the severity of maternal allergic disease through increment of Th1 response, but not the incidence of childhood allergic sensitization or allergic diseases (ClinicalTrials.govnumber, IDNCT00325273).