Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Reduced Prevalence of Atopic Sensitization

Research synthesisLow evidenceMixed effect size3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 randomized controlled trials, 2 reported beneficial effects (small and moderate) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 on reducing atopic sensitization, but only one reached statistical significance. The effective dose was consistently 6 × 10^9 CFU/day. Evidence predominantly comes from studies involving infant supplementation, with maternal-only supplementation showing no effect.

Effective dose range: 6 × 10^9 CFU/day
Studied populations: Infants (from birth) and their mothers, particularly those at high risk for allergic disease

Caveats: Only one of three RCTs reached statistical significance; the moderate beneficial effect was not statistically significant. The neutral study involved maternal-only supplementation, suggesting the benefit requires direct infant supplementation. Study durations varied and long-term follow-up was present in some, but lack of consistent reporting limits interpretation.

Generated May 11, 2026

Doses used in studies

CFU/day: 6 billion (median 6 billion, IQR 6 billion–6 billion) — 2 studies

3 of 3 papers

Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in early life on the cumulative prevalence of allergic disease to 11 years
- 2018-11-14
- RCT
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology 29(8)
- - K. Wickens
  - C. Barthow
  - E. Mitchell
  - Janice Kang
  - N. van Zyl
  - G. Purdie
  - T. Stanley
  - P. Fitzharris
  - R. Murphy
  - J. Crane
- PubMed: 30430649
- DOI: 10.1111/pai.12982
8 Insights on
- Reduced Prevalence of Atopic Sensitization
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
For the lifetime prevalence, HN001 was associated with a significant reduction in atopic sensitization (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.71, 95% CI 0.51-1.00, P = 0.048).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
6 × 10^9 colony-forming units (cfu)
Maternal supplementation alone with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 during pregnancy and breastfeeding does not reduce infant eczema
- 2018-04-06
- RCT
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology 29(3)
- - K. Wickens
  - C. Barthow
  - E. Mitchell
  - T. Stanley
  - G. Purdie
  - Judy Rowden
  - Janice Kang
  - Fiona Hood
  - L. V. D. van den Elsen
  - Elizabeth E Forbes-Blom
  - I. Franklin
  - Phillipa Barnes
  - P. Fitzharris
  - Robyn M. Maude
  - P. Stone
  - P. Abels
  - R. Murphy
  - J. Crane
- PubMed: 29415330
- DOI: 10.1111/pai.12874
4 Insights on
- Reduced Prevalence of Atopic Sensitization
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
Maternal-only HN001 supplementation did not significantly reduce the prevalence of eczema, SCORAD ≥ 10, wheeze or atopic sensitization in the infant by 12 months.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
A protective effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 against eczema in the first 2 years of life persists to age 4 years
- 2012-06-15
- RCT
- Clinical & Experimental Allergy 42(7)
- - K. Wickens
  - Peter N. Black
  - Thorsten Stanley
  - Edwin A. Mitchell
  - C. Barthow
  - P. Fitzharris
  - Gordon Purdie
  - Julian Crane
- PubMed: 22702506
- DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2012.03975.x
3 Insights on
- Reduced Prevalence of Atopic Sensitization
- High evidence
- Highly Cited
atopic sensitization (HR = 0.72 (95% CI 0.48-1.06))
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
No
Dose
6 × 10(9) cfu/day

Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 and Reduced Prevalence of Atopic Sensitization

Effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 in early life on the cumulative prevalence of allergic disease to 11 years

Maternal supplementation alone with Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 during pregnancy and breastfeeding does not reduce infant eczema

A protective effect of Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 against eczema in the first 2 years of life persists to age 4 years