Abstract OBJECTIVE: To determine whether lactic acid bacteria as probiotics is efficacious in the primary prevention of infantile eczema or atopic eczema. METHODS: For this meta analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) describing the efficacy of probiotics in infants with eczema or atopic eczema at ages of ≤2 years, a comprehensive search in the databases was performed up to January 2010. Three reviewers independently evaluated the studies for methodological qualities. RevMan 5.0.2 software was used for meta analysis. RESULTS: Twelve RCTs on the preventive effects of lactic acid bacteria as probiotics on infantile eczema were included, and 7 of the 12 RCTs reported the preventive effect of lactic acid bacteria on atopic eczema. The meta analysis showed that there was an overall significant reduction in infantile eczema and atopic eczema favoring lactic acid bacteria compared with placebo. The relative risk (RR) ratios for eczema and atopic eczema were 0.80 (95%CI: 0.70-0.90; P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The data from this meta analysis suggest that lactic acid probiotics combined with other probiotics play a role in the prevention of infantile eczema. There is insufficient evidence to recommend single use of lactic acid bacteria for prevention of eczema. Further studies are required to determine whether the findings are reproducible.［Chin J Contemp Pediatr, 2010, 12 (9):734-739］
ZHU Di-Ling,YANG Wen-Xu,YANG Hui-Ming. Meta analysis of lactic acid bacteria as probiotics for the primary prevention of infantile eczema[J]. 中国当代儿科杂志, 2010, 12(09): 734-739.
ZHU Di-Ling,YANG Wen-Xu,YANG Hui-Ming. Meta analysis of lactic acid bacteria as probiotics for the primary prevention of infantile eczema[J]. CJCP, 2010, 12(09): 734-739.
［1］Lehtonen EP，HolmbergMarttila D，Kaila M．Cumulative prevalence of atopic eczema and related skin symptoms in a wellbaby clinic：a retrospective cohort study［J］．Pediatr Allergy Immunol，2003，14 (5)：405408．
［5］Higgins JPT，Green S．Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5．0．2［DB/OL］．［updated September 2009］. The Cochrane Collaboration， 2008． Available from www．cochranehandbook．org．
［7］Kalliomki M, Salminen S, Arvilommi H, Kero P, Koskinen P, Isolauri E. Probiotics in primary prevention of atopic disease: a randomisedplacebocontrolled trial［J］.Lancet，2001，357(9262)：10761079．
［8］Rautava S, Kalliomaki M, Isolauri E. Probiotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding might confer immunomodulatory protection against atopic disease in the infant［J］. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2002, 109（1）:119121.
［9］Taylor AL， Dunstan JA， Prescott SL． Probiotic supplementation for the first 6 months of life fails to reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis and increases the risk of allergen sensitization in highrisk children： a randomized controlled trial［J］． J Allergy Clin Immunol， 2007， 119(1)：184191．
［10］Abrahamsson TR， Jakobsson T， Bottcher MF， Fredrikson M， Jenmalm MC， Bjrkstén B，et al． Probiotics in prevention of IgEassociated eczema： a doubleblind， randomized， placebocontrolled trial［J］． J Allergy Clin Immunol， 2007， 119(5)：11741180．
［11］Kukkonen K， Savilahti E， Haahtela T， JuntunenBackman K， Korpela R， Poussa T， et al．Probiotics and prebiotic galactooligosaccharides in the prevention of allergic diseases： a randomized， doubleblind， placebocontrolled trial［J］． J Allergy Clin Immunol， 2007， 119(1)：192198．
［12］Kopp MV, Hennemuth I, Heinzmann A, Urbanek R. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of probiotics for primary prevention: no clinical effects of Lactobacillus GG supplementation［J］. Pediatrics, 2008, 121(4): 850-856．
［13］West CE, Hammarstr-m ML, Hernell O. Probiotics during weaning reduce the incidence of eczema［J］. Pediatr Allergy Immunol, 2009, 20(5): 430-437.
［14］Soh SE, Aw M, Gerez I, Chong YS, Rauff M, Ng YP, et al. Probiotic supplementation in the first 6 months of life in at risk Asian infants-effects on eczema and atopic sensitization at the age of 1 year［J］. Clin Exp Allergy, 2009, 39(4)：571-578．
［15］Wickens K, Black PN, Stanley TV, Mitchell E, Fitzharris P, Tannock GW, et al. A differential effect of 2 probiotics in the prevention of eczema and atopy: a double-blind, randomized, placebocontrolled trial［J］. J Allergy Clin Immunol, 2008, 122(4): 788-794.
［16］Niers L, Martin R, Rijkers G, Sengers F, Timmerman H, van Uden N, et al. The effects of selected probiotic strains on he development of eczema (the PandA study)［J］. Allergy, 2009, 64(9): 1349-1358．
［17］Huurre A, Laitinen K, Rautava S, Korkeamaki M,Isolauri E．Impact of maternal atopy and probiotic supplementation during pregnancy on infant sensitization: a double-blind placebo-controlled study［J］. Clin Exp Allergy, 2008, 38（8）:1342-1348．
［18］Rautava S, Arvilommi H, Isolauri E. Specific probiotics in enhancing maturation of IgA responses in formula-fed infants［J］. Pediatr Res， 2006, 60 (2): 221-224．
［19］Kopp MV, Goldstein M, Dietschek A, Sofke J, Heinzmann A, Urbanek R. Lactobacillus GG has in-vitro effects on enhanced IL-10 and IFN-y release of mononuclear cells but no in-vivo effects in supplemented mothers and their neonates［J］.Clin Exp Allergy, 2008, 38(4): 602-610.
［20］Nonaka Y, Izumo T, Izumi F, Maekawa T, Shibata H, Nakano A, et al. Antiallergic effects of Lactobacillus pentosus strain S-PT84 mediated by modulation of Th1/Th2 immunobalance and induction of IL-10 production［J］. Int Arch Allergy Immunol, 2008, 145(3): 249-257.
