It's pretty common for newborns to have all sorts of skin problems, from dry patches and acne to heat rashes and eczema. A baby spends nine months immersed in liquid and the skin sometimes struggles to adapt to dry air. Eczema, especially, can be problematic. This type of rash is an allergic reaction, often uncomfortable and difficult to clear up. A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests that mothers may actually be able to reduce their babies' risk of developing eczema simply by taking probiotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
The study design was straightforward. Researchers selected 241 pregnant women who had a history of allergies, which meant their babies were at very high risk of developing eczema and other allergies. The women were given a powder to ingest daily, either a probiotic or a placebo. Women continued treatment for the last two months of pregnancy and the first two months of breastfeeding. Researchers tracked the health of the babies for two years.
The results were impressive. Only 29 percent of the babies whose moms took probiotics had at least one episode of eczema, compared to 71 percent of babies in the placebo group. The placebo babies had a higher rate of chronic eczema too — 26 percent, compared to only about 10 percent of babies in the probiotic group. But interestingly, the protective effect didn't seem to extend to other allergies. By age two there was no difference in how kids' immune systems responded to common allergens, regardless of whether their moms took probiotics.
The researchers noted that further study is needed before a general recommendation can be made. Commercially available supplements may vary in potency, so the effectiveness of self treatment hasn't yet been determined. But taking a probiotic supplement is definitely something that pregnant and breastfeeding women can discuss with their doctors. This simple supplement may provide real benefits to both mom and baby.
Gee, I wish this study had been done about five years ago when I was pregnant with my first baby! My oldest boy developed terrible chronic eczema and also has allergies and asthma. In fact, all my kids have sported eczema rashes to some degree. I wonder if probiotics would have helped them.
Well, I just gave birth to our fourth baby. No eczema yet for her, thank goodness, but her odds are pretty high of developing it at some point. Maybe we can ward off the eczema with some "good bacteria" in my breastmilk. I think I'll discuss this probiotic idea with my doctor and my daughter's pediatrician. We'll try a little experiment of our own to see if we can keep my little girl's beautiful baby skin rash-free.
Have you ever taken probiotics during pregnancy? Any of your kids suffered with eczema? Share your experience in the comments section below.
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