Table II.
Eczema (all ages and risk levels)
| Comparison | Number of participants (trials) |
Risk ratio (95% confidence interval) |
I2 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exclusive breastfeeding for at least six months versus introduction of solids at three to six months |
3731 (2) | 0.75 (0.42, 1.32) | 61 |
| Hydrolysed formula versus cow’s milk formula (prolonged feeding) |
1478 (8) | 0.87 (0.70, 1.08) | 0 |
| Extensively hydrolysed formula versus cow’s milk formula (prolonged feeding) |
912 (3) | 0.84 (0.58, 1.23) | 19 |
| Partially hydrolysed formula versus cow’s milk formula (prolonged feeding) |
823 (7) | 0.92 (0.72, 1.17) | 0 |
| Extensively hydrolysed formula versus partially hydrolysed formula (prolonged feeding) |
1061 (4) | 0.88 (0.73, 1.05) | 0 |
| Hydrolysed formula versus human milk (early short- term feeding) |
09 (1) | 0.48 (0.05, 4.41) | -- |
| Hydrolysed formula versus cow’s milk formula (early short-term feeding) |
77 (1) | 0.34 (0.04, 3.15) | -- |
| Soy formula versus cow’s milk formula | 744 (3) | 1.23 (0.99, 1.53) | 0 |
| Maternal antigen avoidance versus standard diet | 360 (3) | 0.95 (0.63, 1.44) | 21 |
| Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation versus placebo | 664 (3) | 1.10 (0.78, 1.54) | 45 |
| Omega-6 fatty acid supplementation versus placebo | 259 (2) | 0.80 (0.56, 1.16) | 0 |
| Prebiotic versus no prebiotic | 432 (2) | 0.79 (0.21, 2.94) | 80 |
| Prebiotic versus other prebiotic * | 150 (1) | 0.22 (0.07, 0.76) a | -- |
| Probiotic versus no probiotic# | 1492 (6) | 0.85 (0.66, 1.08) | 46 |
a
Significantly favours prebiotic (polydextrose, galacto-oligosaccharide and lactulose).
*
Polydextrose, galacto-oligosaccharide and lactulose versus polydextrose and galacto-oligosaccharide.
#
This review also reported data on a subgroup of participants with atopic eczema; 1354 participants in four trials contributed to this outcome, and the effect estimate was not significant (RR: 0.85; 95% CI: 0.51, 1.42; I2: 65%).
Bold text indicates statistical significance.