Probiotic promise for pregnancy complications

Probiotics taken during pregnancy at specific times potentially help lower the risk of some complications during pregnancy, according to new research.

Data from the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study of more than 70,000 pregnancies show probiotic intake was associated with a 20 per cent lower risk of pre-eclampsia, but only during late pregnancy, while probiotic intake in early pregnancy was associated with a 21 per cent lower risk of premature birth.

The study was observational, rather than the gold standard double-blind, randomised and controlled, so more investigation is needed, the researchers say.

BMJ Open, 2018