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Science Corner

Probiotics combined with Prebiotics Effective in Reducing Severity of Childhood Atopic Dermititis

Probiotics combined with prebiotics may be superior to prebiotics alone in treating childhood atopic dermatitis (AD). In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, researchers assigned 60 children (2-14 y) with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (SCOREAD > 25) to receive Lactobacillus salivarius with fructo-oligosaccharide (Synbiotic) or fructo-oligosaccharide alone (Prebiotic). Both control and treatment groups received one capsule, twice daily, containing either synbiotic or prebiotic. Indications for AD were measured weeks 0, 4, 8 and 10 (post-treatment). Laboratory results and AD medication use were also monitored. While both groups were similar in terms of demographics, clinical characteristics and severity indications at the start of the trial, by the 8th week the treatment group had a lowered intensity of symptoms relative to the control group and this remained true at 2 weeks post-treatment. Medication use frequency was reduced for the treatment group. B y the end of the study, 14 out of 27 subjects in the treatment group were categorized as mild AD as opposed to 8 out of 27 in the control group. These results suggest that probiotics combined with prebiotics may be superior to prebiotics alone in the treatment of children with atopic dermatitis.

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