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. 2011 Mar;57(3):299-301.

Are probiotics safe for use during pregnancy and lactation?

Jackie Elias, Pina Bozzo, Adrienne Einarson

Are probiotics safe for use during pregnancy and lactation?

Jackie Elias et al. Can Fam Physician. 2011 Mar.

Abstract
in English, French

Question: There has been a great deal of discussion in both the medical and lay literature about the use of probiotics to improve general health. Subsequently, pregnant women have been asking me if probiotics used for treating conditions such as bacterial vaginosis and diarrhea are safe to use during pregnancy and lactation.

Answer: Current data suggest that probiotic supplementation is rarely systemically absorbed when used by healthy individuals. One meta-analysis and several randomized controlled trials conducted with women during the third trimester of pregnancy did not report an increase in adverse fetal outcomes. There have been no published studies addressing Saccharomyces species use in pregnancy. Probiotics are unlikely to be transferred into breast milk.

Question On a beaucoup parlé, dans les ouvrages médicaux et les médias populaires, de l’utilisation des probiotiques pour améliorer l’état de santé général. Depuis, des femmes enceintes me demandent si les probiotiques utilisés pour traiter des problèmes comme la vaginose bactérienne et la diarrhée sont sécuritaires durant la grossesse et l’allaitement.

Réponse Selon les données actuelles, les suppléments de probiotiques sont rarement absorbés systémiquement quand ils sont utilisés par des personnes en santé. Une méta-analyse et quelques études randomisées contrôlées réalisées auprès de femmes durant le troisième trimestre de la grossesse n’ont pas relevé d’augmentation de résultats indésirables pour le fœtus. Aucune étude portant sur l’utilisation des suppléments de Saccharomyces durant la grossesse n’a encore été publiée. Il est peu probable que les probiotiques passent dans le lait maternel.

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