A systematic review and meta-analysis depicted that by regulating the immune system and reducing the usage of anti-allergic drugs, probiotic therapy can help in ameliorating outcomes of allergic rhinitis (AR) in pediatric patients. Xia Wang et al. aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of probiotics for their potential to manage AR in children.

Notably, 6 databases were explored and 26 trials that investigated probiotics effects with the ones not using probiotics in pediatric AR were incorporated. Cochrane risk-of-bias software was used for assessing methodological quality. A data extraction and analysis was conducted for relevant endpoints.

As found, probiotics decreased Total Nasal Symptoms Scores (TNSS) (with weighted mean difference (WMD) -2.58), total scores of Pediatric Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (PRQLQ) (for symptoms frequency: WMD -9.51, and for level of bother: WMD -9.27,), and led to improvements in remission rate of nasal symptoms (risk ratio [RR] = 1.21).

Additionally, probiotics considerably increased the serum interferon-γ levels (WMD 9.08 ng/L) and IL-10 (WMD 7.82 pg/mL,) while significantly lowered the serum levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) (WMD -13.86 ng/L), IL-17 (WMD -5.41 pg/mL), and IL-6 (WMD -13.70 pg/mL). The frequency of Cetirizine utilization in pediatric AR patients was decreased by probiotics administration (WMD -2.88 days). No overt adverse effects were discovered that were connected to probiotic medication.

Thus, probiotic treatment can improve pediatric AR outcomes to a limited extent, without evident side effects.