Probiotics show modest long-term benefit in pediatric atopic dermatitis

A meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials found no significant SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) score improvement during the first two months of probiotic therapy (standardized mean difference [SMD], –0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], –0.24 to 0.16; P = 0.71), but demonstrated a significant reduction after two months (SMD, –0.20; 95% CI, –0.36 to –0.03; P = 0.02). Children receiving probiotics also reported improvements in symptoms such as itching and redness, though authors note that SCORAD fluctuates over time and limited long‑term data constrain interpretation of sustained benefit

Clinical takeaway: Consider probiotics as an adjunctive option for pediatric atopic dermatitis, while acknowledging variable strain effects and modest overall benefit.

Source:

Arif M, et al. (2026, March). J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. Probiotics for pediatric atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. https://www.jaci-global.org/article/S2772-8293(26)00011-1/fulltext