Prebiotics 'cut baby's skin risk'

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Prebiotics 'cut baby's skin risk'

Adding prebiotics to formula feed can help cut the risk of babies developing

a form of eczema, research suggests.

Milan's Center for Infant Nutrition found atopic dermatitis was less likely

in babies given supplemented formula than those given the standard form.

Prebiotics encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

The study, published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, suggests they might

prevent atopic dermatitis by giving a boost to the immune system.

 

 

 

ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Form of eczema common among young children

Causes dry and itchy skin

Carries an increased risk of developing other atopic illnesses such as

asthma, hay fever and allergy

 

 

Lead researcher Professor Guido Moro said the risk of atopic dermatitis was

reduced by over 50% in the prebiotic-fed infants.

He said: " To our knowledge this is the first time that it has been shown that

prebiotics can not only produce favourable changes in the gut flora, but

that these changes can lead to a genuine clinical benefit.

" It appears that prebiotics can strengthen the immune system and so reduce

the risk of atopic dermatitis during the first months of life. "

The research focused on 192 healthy children considered to be at high risk of

developing allergies.

At least one parent of each child had been diagnosed with an allergic

disease.

Breastfeeding advice

Parents of every child considered for the study were advised to breastfeed

their children.

However, none of the children who ended up taking part was breastfed.

The children of those who, nevertheless, decided to start with formula

feeding were assigned to one of two groups.

Half the children received formula milk supplemented with a prebiotic mixture

made up of two types of carbohydrates called galacto-oligosaccharides and

long chain fructo-oligosaccharides.

Previous research has suggested this mixture has a similar impact to breast

milk on the bacteria living in the gut, boosting beneficial bugs, and

inhibiting growth of bugs that can cause disease.

After six months, 10.6% of the group given prebiotics showed signs of atopic

dermatitis, compared with 22.4% of those given formula supplemented with a

placebo.

Analysis showed the proportion of " friendly " bifidobacteria was significantly

higher in the stools of infants fed on the prebiotic.

Muriel Symmons, of the charity UK Allergy, said: " This study adds to our

knowledge of the role of prebiotics in helping to prevent the development of

eczema in infants.

" More work of this kind is needed to establish whether prebiotic supplements

can help those babies whose mothers are unable or choose not to breast feed. "

 

Nina Goad, of the British Skin Foundation, said: " We know that atopic

dermatitis is a condition in which many factors can influence its development

and

severity. "

Details of the study were presented at the Royal College of Paediatrics and

Child Health Spring Meeting in York.

 

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