Small amount of information is available on benefits of taking probiotics during pregnancy. Most of the information could be found in blogs and forums, however a meta-analysis and systematic review of 8 randomized control trials of probiotic use in more than 1500 pregnant women showed: because the risk of probiotic-induced bacteremia and fungemia is low, probiotics are unlikely to reach the systemic circulation of the fetus, and therefore are unlikely to cause harm.
As a most recent studies showed that administration of probiotics to pregnant mothers has an effect on IgE levels in cord blood. This study strengthens the theory of interaction between mother and child. Therefore we can see that this interaction even more intimate than generally believed. The new study helps elucidate potential mechanisms by which mother’s microbiome and mother’s breast milk influence development of the infant’s immune system and long-term health. The study adds to an ever growing body of evidence supporting the potential long-term health benefits of a mother’s seeding her infant’s microbiome.
Results of a new study also suggested that the probiotic supplementation could decrease incidence of infantile colic and regurgitation in infants, however the researchers cautioned that it was too soon to recommend routine supplementation of high-dose probiotics during pregnancy and lactation.