Bacteria may be the answer to combating some forms of allergy.
It is hoped a study by the Wellington and Auckland schools of medicine will prove that probiotics - the bacteria used in yoghurts - will help to prevent babies from developing the allergy-related skin condition eczema.
Results of a Wellington School
of Medicine study of older children are soon to be published.
Research head Julian Crane said that study, conducted in Wellington using 59 volunteers aged between 1 and 10, found that giving probiotics did seem to improve eczema in children who suffered from it.
Professor Crane said the new study would monitor 225 babies considered to be at high risk of developing eczema because one or both of their parents suffered from it.
Expectant mothers would be given probiotics for four weeks before the birth of their baby and for the time that they breastfed. The babies would be given the treatment until they turned 2 years old.
The group of 225 would be split into three. Two would be given different types of the bacteria, while the third would be given a placebo.
The studies follow Finnish research which found probiotics seemed to be effective in preventing the onset of eczema in babies.
Professor Crane said it was not known for sure why probiotics, which are the opposite of antibiotics and found naturally in the human bowel, could have that effect on eczema.
But it was thought that because living conditions had become more sanitary, the levels of probiotics in people's bowels were decreasing compared with 70 or 80 years ago.
Changes in diet, including more emphasis on hygienic food handling, might also have had an effect on probiotic levels.
With lowered levels of the bacteria to fight against, a baby's developing immune system might instead turn to fighting other things such as food proteins, thereby creating allergies.
Any mothers keen to take part can call the researchers on 0800-000-323.
- NZPA
Herald Feature: Health
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