Probiotics for Atopic Dermatitis Prevention in Infants: Emerging Promise Amid Inconsistent Evidence and Guideline Divergence – A Perspective for Hospital Pharmacists.

The article focuses on the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics for the prevention of atopic dermatitis (AD) in infants, highlighting mixed evidence regarding their efficacy. While some meta-analyses suggest modest preventive benefits, particularly with multistrain formulations administered to mothers during the perinatal period alongside infant supplementation, individual trial results are inconsistent and limited by heterogeneity in strains, dosing, and populations studied. Regulatory bodies have not approved probiotics for AD prevention or treatment, and safety concerns, especially in preterm or hospitalized infants, have led to cautionary guidelines restricting use in neonatal intensive care units. Hospital pharmacists play a key role in guiding strain-specific probiotic use, ensuring product quality, and providing balanced education to families. Further rigorous, well-designed trials are needed to clarify optimal probiotic regimens and confirm long-term benefits. [Extracted from the article]