Atopic Diseases and the Breastfeeding Connection

Can Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergies?

By Lisa A. Goldstein

Atopic disease – which could be atopic dermatitis, asthma or a food allergy – may be delayed or prevented in high-risk infants if they are breastfed for at least four months, or given certain hydrolyzed (hypoallergenic) formulas without cow milk protein. This is one of the findings published in the January 2008 issue of Pediatrics. Another is that maternal dietary restrictions during pregnancy or lactation don't seem to have a protective effect.

This policy report, "Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Timing of Introduction of Complementary Foods, and Hydrolyzed Formulas," actually replaces an earlier American Academy of Pediatrics one from 2000.

According to the report, "over the past several decades, the incidence of atopic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis and food allergies has increased dramatically. Among children up to 4 years of age, the incidence of asthma has increased 160 percent, and the incidence of atopic dermatitis has increased twofold to threefold. The incidence of peanut allergy has also doubled in the past decade. Thus, atopic diseases increasingly are a problem for clinicians who provide health care to children."

As it turns out, the documented benefits of nutritional intervention that may prevent or delay the onset of atopic disease are largely limited to high-risk infants. A high-risk infant is one who has at least one first-degree relative – such as a parent or sibling – with atopic disease.

Such nutritional intervention includes breastfeeding for at least four months, or using hydrolyzed formulas without cow milk protein. "Comparative studies of the various hydrolyzed formulas also indicate that not all formulas have the same protective benefit," the report states. Soy formula should not be used for this purpose.

Want to see more?

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• First Food Fights: Could Your Baby Have a Food Allergy?
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