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Gut-friendly microorganisms may offer a safe and promising option for managing food allergies, including milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts in children by potentially improving tolerance over time.
The latest systematic review issued in ‘Pediatric Allergy and Immunology’ has provided an updated evaluation of the role of probiotics in addressing food allergies among children. The review synthesized data from randomized trials up to March 13, 2024, and aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of probiotics as a treatment option for pediatric food allergies.
A total of 13 trials with 1,608 pediatric participants with a range of food allergies were considered. Major findings include a moderate certainty of evidence implying that probiotics may not significantly lower eczema scores in newborns suffering from cow milk allergy. However, for children with broader allergy types, there was a conceivable reduction in eczema scores, though the evidence was rated low certainty.
One of the most encouraging results came from the subgroup analysis, highlighting the effectiveness of the Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG). This specific strain, which is commonly found in probiotic supplements and yoghurt, showed a noteworthy benefit in promoting tolerance to food allergens (relative risk [RR] 0.41, 95% CI 0.28, 0.62). LGG was particularly effective when used for a minimum of at least 2 years, pointing to a duration-dependent benefit in promoting tolerance in children with food allergies (RR 0.44, 95% CI 0.29, 0.67).
Despite these promising results, the review found that probiotics did not consistently lead to tolerance acquisition in infants with cow milk allergy, with weak evidence backing this result.
As no substantial safety concerns were reported, probiotics were regarded as well-tolerated. However, the review calls for additional trials concentrating on specific food allergies, standardized probiotic strains, and longer follow-up periods to better understand the long-term impacts of probiotic use in food allergy management in younger populations.
Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
Systematic review and meta-analysis on probiotics as treatment for food allergies among pediatric patients: A 2024 update
Carol Stephanie C. Tan-Lim et al.
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