LGG for Young Children With Eczema: Why Two Trials Reached Different Results
Dr. Arsy Editorial Team · November 9, 2026
The same probiotic strain can produce different findings in different studies. A more recent trial of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG in 100 young children with eczema reported favorable outcomes, while an earlier placebo-controlled infant trial did not find a significant group difference. Neither result alone settles care for every child. [2][3]
What did ProPAD study?
ProPAD enrolled 100 children aged six to 36 months who already had atopic dermatitis. In a double-blind comparison, they received LGG or placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers evaluated the SCORAD eczema score and considered a reduction of at least 8.7 points a meaningful improvement for that analysis. They reported a higher rate reaching that threshold in the LGG group and evaluated outcomes again four weeks after treatment ended. [2]
The trial investigated an adjunct to care, not a substitute for eczema medication. The abstract does not give every group count needed to calculate an individual child's probability of benefit. A finding in this population, regimen and strain does not prove that every probiotic product will work. [2]
Why look at the earlier infant trial?
In the earlier trial, 54 infants in the LGG group and 48 in the placebo group completed the treatment period included in the reported analysis. Researchers did not find statistically significant differences in improvement between groups, including in the reported age, severity and rescue-medication subgroups. Different ages, protocols and outcome definitions make it unsafe to label one result as proof that the other is wrong. [3]
| Question | ProPAD | Earlier infant trial |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Children aged 6–36 months with eczema | Infants with atopic dermatitis |
| Comparison | LGG versus placebo | LGG versus placebo |
| Result | Higher reported rate reaching a meaningful SCORAD change | No statistically significant group difference in improvement |
What does the wider evidence say?
Pediatric reviews combine many preparations, time frames and measures; their results are mixed and can have substantial between-study variation. A finding for LGG does not make another strain or a multistrain product equivalent. Likewise, reviews about preventing eczema answer a different question from trials treating diagnosed eczema. [1][6][7][8][14][15][16]
Before considering a supplement for an infant or child, discuss the product, age and any other medical conditions with the child's clinician. Do not stop prescribed treatment or use a supplement to delay assessment of worsening symptoms. [19][20]
Research beyond a single study
The references below include trials in different age groups, reviews of treatment and prevention, and clinical guidelines. A study of one bacterial strain, combination or age group cannot be assigned automatically to another. Clinical outcomes should be considered separately from laboratory markers, and pooled reviews may include some of the same individual studies. [1][5][6][19][20]
Care for dry, sensitive skin
Explore Dr. Arsy™ Hydration Recovery Moisturizer #003, 4 oz, a fragrance-free moisturizer for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. These probiotic studies did not test #003 and do not show that it prevents or treats eczema. Ask a clinician before choosing a product for a baby.
Related reading
- Can Probiotics Prevent Baby Eczema? What 18 Trials Found
- Probiotics for Children's Eczema: What a 70-Participant Trial Actually Measured
- Probiotics and Adult Eczema: Reading a Seven-Trial Review Without Overpromising
- A BLa80 Probiotic Trial and Baby Eczema: Why One Large Difference Needs Context
- Baby eczema prevention: comparing major moisturizer studies
- A skin-bacteria safety trial: what its outcome means
Research and clinical references
- Infant-only probiotics and eczema prevention: 18-trial meta-analysis.
- ProPAD: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in young children.
- Earlier placebo-controlled infant trial of LGG.
- Probiotic mixture in children and adolescents: randomized trial.
- Probiotics for adult eczema: systematic review.
- Pediatric probiotic treatment: 13-trial systematic review.
- Pediatric probiotic treatment: meta-analysis.
- Probiotic mixture in children and adolescents: six-month trial.
- Multistrain probiotic in adults: placebo-controlled trial.
- Probiotic supplement in adults: randomized controlled trial.
- Probiotic supplement in preschool children: randomized trial.
- Probiotics started in later infancy: prevention trial.
- B. lactis BLa80 in high-risk young children: prevention trial.
- Probiotic studies in children: umbrella review.
- Comparative probiotic strains for pediatric eczema treatment.
- Comparative probiotic strains for pediatric eczema prevention.
- Probiotics for prevention in children: systematic review.
- Prenatal and postnatal probiotic timing: systematic review.
- AAD guideline: pediatric eczema primary prevention.
- AAD guideline: pediatric eczema management.
- AAD guideline: adult eczema topical management.
Educational information; not individual medical advice. Cited researchers and organizations do not endorse Dr. Arsy products.