Abstract
Background: Recent trials have studied the potential benefit of early probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus GG (LGG) in decreasing the future risk of asthma in children with mixed results.
Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded controlled trial (n=185) to assess the effect of early LGG supplementation on the development of asthma, eczema and recurrent wheezing for infants at high risk for asthma. For the first 6 months of life, the intervention group (n=93) received a daily dose of 10 billion colony-forming units of LGG (Amerifit;USA) and the control group (n=92) received a daily control capsule. To assess for outcomes and confounding factors (feeding practices and antibiotic exposure), data were collected monthly during the first year and semi-annually during the second year of life.
Results: After 2 years of age, the follow-up rate was 97%. 92 (50%) were Caucasian; 60 (32%) mixed race and 46 (25%) were also Hispanic. 48 (26%) were born by C-Section. 72 (38%) mothers received antibiotics during delivery. 133 (72%) infants were exclusively breastfed for the first 6 mons of life. There were no differences between the groups in terms of demographics, delivery type, infant formula or antibiotic exposure. To date, 14% (13/92) of control and 15% (14/93) of intervention infants have asthma. 28% (26/92) of control and 22% (20/93) of intervention infants have recurrent wheezing. 37% (34/92) of control and 37% (34/93) of intervention infants have eczema (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: For high-risk infants, early LGG supplementation for the first 6 months of life does not appear to prevent the development of asthma, eczema or recurrent wheezing at 2 yrs.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015
