Early Lactobacilli Colonization Reduces Allergy Risk in Children
Author Information
Author(s): Maria A. Johansson, Ylva M. Sjögren, Jan-Olov Persson, Caroline Nilsson, Eva Sverremark-Ekström
Primary Institution: Arrhenius Laboratories for Natural Sciences, Department of Immunology, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
Hypothesis
Does early-life gut microbiota influence the development of allergic diseases in children?
Conclusion
Early colonization with Lactobacilli can decrease the risk of developing allergies by age five, even in children with a family history of allergies.
Supporting Evidence
- Infants with non-allergic parents were more frequently colonized by Lactobacilli compared to those with allergic parents.
- Non-allergic children were colonized with Lactobacilli on more occasions during the first two months of life.
- Significantly more non-allergic children were colonized with B. bifidum at one week of age than allergic children at five years.
Takeaway
If babies have certain good bacteria called Lactobacilli in their tummies early on, they might not get allergies later, even if their parents have allergies.
Methodology
Fecal samples from infants were analyzed for specific bacteria using real-time PCR at various ages, and children were followed for allergy development until age five.
Potential Biases
Potential for false significances due to multiple statistical tests without correction.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size for subgroup analyses and did not include breast milk or vaginal swab samples.
Participant Demographics
58 infants, 35 with allergic parents and 23 with non-allergic parents, all born vaginally and exclusively breastfed for at least three months.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p=0.014, p=0.009, p=0.028, p=0.038, p=0.048
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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