Growing evidence underlines the pivotal role of infant gut colonization in the development of the immune system. The possibility to modify gut colonization through probiotic supplementation in childhood might prevent atopic diseases. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy in preventing atopic diseases. PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating the use of probiotics during pregnancy or early infancy for prevention of allergic diseases. Fixed-effect models were used, and random-effects models where significant heterogeneity was present. Results were expressed as risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Seventeen studies, reporting data from 4755 children (2381 in the probiotic group and 2374 in the control group), were included in the meta-analysis. Infants treated with probiotics had a significantly lower RR for eczema compared to controls

The observation that intestinal bacterial microflora might be able to influence immune system surveillance through changed nutritional habits has raised awareness of the role of probiotics. These are live microorganisms that are able to reach the gastrointestinal tract and alter its microfloral composition, producing beneficial health effects when consumed in adequate amounts. Recent clinical trials have evaluated the clinical effectiveness of probiotics in the treatment and prevention of a wide range of acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases, and also non-gastrointestinal diseases, such as atopy, respiratory infections, vaginitis and hypercholesterolaemia. Probiotic supplements are generally regarded as safe because the microorganisms they contain are identical to those found in human gastrointestinal and vaginal microflora. Guidelines on the use of probiotics in the clinical setting require periodical updates for the latest data to be included in clinical applications. The purpose of this clinical report is to review current evidence on the use of probiotics in a variety of gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal conditions.

To determine whether granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin are effective in the therapy of neutropenia and anaemia related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and to anti-retroviral agents, we recruited 11 HIV-infected children (mean age 4 years 10 months). All the children were given granulocyte-colony stimulating factor at a dosage of 5 micrograms/kg twice or three times a week while erythropoietin was administered additionally to three patients at a dosage of 50 U/kg twice a week. Both agents were administered subcutaneously for at least 4 months. Leukocyte and neutrophil counts significantly increased during the treatment (after 1 months, P = 0.003 and P = 0.009, respectively). Erythropoietin prevented blood transfusions and increased haemoglobin levels in the three children treated. No side-effects were recorded during the administration of either agent. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and erythropoietin appear to be safe and useful agents in the management of HIV-infected children.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a 2 minutes-delayed cord clamp (DCC) versus early cord clamp (ECC) on neonate haemoglobin concentration 24 hours and 1 month after birth, and assess the safety of DCC concerning the risk of HIV infection. Design: Sixty-four mother-infant peers were enrolled. All mothers were on stable ARV therapy. Viral load, CD4 þ count and blood haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations 24 hours before delivery were collected from all mothers and their infants. Methods: All patients were enrolled at the Department of Paediatrics, AO FBF Sacco Hospital in Milan, and were followed until 18 months after birth. Women with haematological diseases and obstetrical complications were excluded. All of 64 mother and infants couples (32 ECC group and 32 DCC group) completed the study. ECC and DCC are defined as application of umbilical clamp within 30 seconds and 120 seconds after birth, respectively. Results: Mean birth weight was significantly higher in the DCC compared with ECC group. Mean Hb levels at birth were significantly higher in DCC than in ECC group (p ¼ .05): this difference persisted at 1 month of life. All newborns showed negative viral load. Conclusions: DCC 2 minutes after birth is proven to be a safe procedure, particularly beneficial in newborns from HIV mothers. The risk of anemia is significantly decreased at 24 hours after birth and persists at age of 1 month without any increased risk of neonatal jaundice or polycitemia. ARTICLE HISTORY