Can probiotic administration during pregnancy and the first year of life effectively reduce the risk of infections and allergic diseases in childhood?

Infections and allergic disorders are common pediatric diseases. It has been reported that probiotics, which are live microorganisms, confer health benefits to hosts when administered in appropriate amounts. Probiotics have been widely used in the treatment of pediatric infections and allergic disorders through modulating the microbial environment of host. However, it is still not clear whether probiotic administration during pregnancy and/or the first year of life is an efficient approach for the prevention of infections and allergic diseases in childhood. The present study aims to address this question through reviewing previous publications on this topic. Analysis of previous studies suggests that probiotic administration during pregnancy and/or the first year of life could reduce the prevalence of infectious diseases in infancy. The effects of probiotic administration during pregnancy and/or the first year of life on the prevention of allergic disorders are still not clear. In addition, the available studies differ in probiotic species, number of probiotics, dosage of probiotics, inclusion and exclusion criteria, outcomes, and diagnostic and follow-up methods. These differences highlight further studies for better understanding the effects of probiotic administration on the prevention of infections and allergic diseases in childhood.