In the study, 157 pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive the probiotic mixture or placebo for the last two weeks of pregnancy.  The infants then received the supplements for their first year of life.  The probiotic supplement contained a mixture of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis (infantis) and Lactococcus lactis.

Results showed that parental-reported eczema was 58% lower in the intervention group, compared with placebo during the first three months of life, after which the incidence of eczema was similar between the two groups.

The researchers commented, “The results of this study suggest that primary prevention of eczema by perinatal administration of probiotic bacteria indeed involves modulation of the early colonisation of the intestinal microbiota, which may result in modulating the development and maturation of the infants’ immune system”.

Eczema is an early sign of allergy during the first few months of life and experts believe is due to delayed development of the immune system.  According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, it affects between 10 to 20% of all infants.