Breast feeding curbs allergies in infants

A recent study conducted in Sweden suggests that exclusive breast feeding seems to have a preventive effect on the early development of allergic diseases like asthma, atopic dermatitis, and suspected allergic rhinitis, up to 2 years of age and has a preventive effect on the early development of multiple allergic diseases. Researchers at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm had parents of 3,791 out of 4,089 infants complete detailed questionnaires about various exposures, allergic symptoms, and feeding habits at roughly 2 months and 1 and 2 years of age. They found that children exclusively breast fed for four months or more had less asthma, atopic dermatitis, or suspected allergic rhinitis by age 2 than children breast fed for a shorter period of time. A risk reduction also appeared for partial breast feeding on development of asthma and severe symptoms of allergic disease. There was a significant risk reduction for asthma related to partial breast feeding during six months or more. Three or more of five possible allergic disorders (asthma, suspected allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy related symptoms, and suspected allergic respiratory symptoms) after exposure to pets or pollen were found in 6.5% of the children. Exclusive breast feeding seems to have a preventive effect on the early development of various allergic diseases. Children with a parental history of atopic disease derived the greatest benefit from breast feeding. Social factors such as maternal age and education as well as maternal smoking, were all important risk factors for asthma. These risk factors co-varied with one another as well as with short duration of breast feeding. Thus, the impact on induction of allergic disease in early childhood by several different risk factors needs to be stressed. Early onset of atopic dermatitis has been found to be predictive for asthma later in childhood. Since there was a preventive effect of exclusive breast feeding on atopic dermatitis as well as on the risk of having three or more allergic manifestations up to 2 years of age, the effects seen for breast feeding might be long lasting.