A follow-up of Savino’s 2010 study to investigate if the administration of L. reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colic may affect prevalence of atopic disorders (cow’s milk allergy and atopic dermatitis), asthma and migraine at the age of five, and effects on growth. The original study was a double blind and placebo-controlled one, which randomised 50 colicky infants at baseline, whereof 46 were analysed for results. Twenty-five (25) in the L. reuteri group and 23 in the placebo group were analysed in this follow-up study.

The prevalence of atopic disorders was significantly lower in the L. reuteri group compared to placebo, with an odds ratio of 0.16 (95% CI: 0.03-0.88).

Asthma was absent in both groups, while there was one case of migraine in the placebo group. Growth was equal in the two groups, measured as BMI Z-score.

Conclusion: The results provide preliminary evidence of clinical efficacy of L. reuteri DSM 17938 supplementation in the first months of life on atopic disorders (cow’s milk allergy and atopic dermatitis) at five years of age. No safety issues were identified.