Atopic dermatitis prevention in children

Primary prevention of atopic dermatitis in newborns from families with allergic history. Probiotics in the mother during the third trimester and in the infant during the first 6 months are discussed as one intervention. WAO 2015 gives a conditional recommendation in favour of probiotics for this population.

ICD-10 L201 drug

Also known as: Atopy prevention in at-risk children

Drugs used for this condition

DProbiotics (Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Saccharomyces boulardii)Case-by-case decision · Probiotic microorganismsWAO 2015 gives a conditional recommendation in favour of probiotics in pregnant women with allergic history and their newborn infants for atopic dermatitis prevention. The effect is modest – about 10% absolute risk reduction. Most international allergy societies (AAAAI, EAACI) do not include probiotics in atopy prevention standards. Effects on food allergy or asthma prevention are not proven.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit