PROBIT Trial

PROBIT was a cluster-randomised trial in 31 Belarusian maternity hospitals and polyclinics. Sites were randomised to a Baby-Friendly breastfeeding-promotion intervention or to usual care, with 17,046 mother–infant pairs. The intervention raised exclusive breastfeeding at 3 months from 6.4% to 43.3% and cut first-year atopic eczema from 6.3% to 3.3% (Kramer 2001). At 16 years, flexural eczema on examination was 54% lower, but self-reported eczema and asthma did not differ (Flohr 2017). It is the main randomised evidence linking breastfeeding to eczema prevention, although eczema is uncommon in that population.

Connections

• Breast Milk — breastfeeding promotion reduced infant eczema, source: Kramer 2001; Flohr 2017