A study published in Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine (May 2015;9(5):1593–1596) evaluated whether probiotic supplementation could improve infantile eczema by increasing levels of Bifidobacterium bifidum in the gut.

Study Overview

Researchers enrolled 40 infants with eczema and measured both:

  • The SCORAD index (Scoring Atopic Dermatitis), which reflects eczema severity

  • The amount of Bifidobacterium bifidum in their stool

Infants were divided into two groups:

  • Treatment group: received B. bifidum triple-viable capsules for four weeks

  • Control group: received no probiotic treatment

Results

After four weeks:

  • The treatment group had significantly higher levels of B. bifidum in the stool

  • Their SCORAD scores were significantly lower, indicating clinical improvement

  • The control group showed no similar changes

The researchers concluded that B. bifidum supplementation may have beneficial effects on both the prevention and treatment of infantile eczema.

Supporting Evidence: Meta-Analysis of 16 Studies

An earlier meta-analysis published in Military Medicine (June 2014;179(6):580–592) reviewed 16 studies conducted between 1945 and 2013, involving 2,797 participants. It examined whether probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and/or infancy affected the likelihood of developing eczema.

The authors concluded:

“Probiotic supplements taken during pregnancy and/or during infancy produce a significant decline in the incidence of eczema.”

These findings suggest that certain probiotic strains—especially bifidobacteria—may play a meaningful role in supporting skin and immune health early in life.

Educational only — not medical advice.