Probiotic therapy to correct the intestinal microbiota in children with a cow’s milk protein allergy: An observational open parallel case-control study

Background. The intestinal microbiota influences the occurrence, course, and outcome of allergic diseases, including those that develop in young children.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the probiotic Acipol® Kid in the treatment of skin and gastrointestinal manifestations of food allergy.

Materials and methods. The study included 153 children aged 1–6 months: 122 subjects diagnosed with cow’s milk protein allergy and 31 healthy subjects. Children with allergies were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n = 60) received elimination treatment (mother’s milk-free diet and/or therapeutic formula), and Group 2 (n = 62) received elimination treatment and the probiotic Acipol® Kid containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 1 × 10⁹ CFU and Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7894 5 × 10⁸ CFU. Healthy children comprised the comparison group. On Days 1, 45, and 90 of the study, symptoms were assessed, and feces were analyzed for fecal calprotectin on Days 1 and 45.

Results. The use of the probiotic Acipol Kid contributed to a 25% reduction in crying frequency, a 76% reduction in the number of children with prolonged crying, and a 26% reduction in intestinal manifestations, as measured by the COMISS index. The probiotic demonstrated high activity against skin symptoms, reducing the severity of lichenification and excoriations by 13% and 9%, respectively, and decreasing intestinal mucosa inflammation by 41%.

Conclusions. The use of the probiotic agent Acipol Kid, containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103 and Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7894, in addition to basic therapy, helps eliminate symptoms in children with severe intestinal and skin symptoms of cow’s milk protein allergy. The obtained data on increasing the biodiversity of commensal microbiota and the potentiating effect on the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids and vitamins B₁, B₇, and K support considering the biodiversity an important therapeutic factor for the development of healthy intestinal microflora.