Related Experiment Videos
[Does breast feeding prevent asthma and allergies? Results of the Munich asthma and allergy study]
1Dr.-von-Haunersches-Kinderspital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München.
Insights
Breastfeeding does not appear to offer long-term protection against atopic diseases like asthma or eczema in children. This study found no reduced risk of allergic conditions in breastfed children compared to those not breastfed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Investigated the association between breastfeeding duration and the development of atopic diseases in a large cohort of German children.
- Utilized a population-based cross-sectional study design in Munich and Bavaria, collecting data from 6,535 ten-year-old children.
- Classified breastfeeding duration into four categories: never breastfed, less than 2 months, 2-6 months, and over 6 months.
Purpose:
- To determine if breastfeeding has a protective effect on the incidence of common atopic diseases.
- To assess the relationship between breastfeeding and allergic skin sensitization.
- To evaluate these associations in both the general population and high-risk subgroups with a family history of asthma or hayfever.
Summary:
- Analysis of 6,535 ten-year-old children revealed that breastfeeding duration was not associated with a reduced relative risk of developing asthma, hayfever, atopic dermatitis, or allergic skin sensitization.
- No significant protective effect of breastfeeding was observed even in children with a parental history of asthma or hayfever.
- The findings indicate that breastfeeding alone does not confer a lasting protective effect against atopic diseases.
Impact:
- Challenges the long-held belief in a universal protective role of breastfeeding against atopy.
- Suggests that other factors may play a more significant role in the development of allergic diseases.
- Informs public health recommendations and parental counseling regarding infant feeding practices and allergy prevention.
Abstract:
The relationship of breast feeding to atopic diseases is studied in a population-based cross sectional study in Munich and Bavaria 1989/1990 in 6,535 german ten year old children. According to the questionnaire answers 1914 (29.3%) children were not breast fed, 2,368 (36.2%) shorter than 2 months, 1,744 (26.7%) 2 to 6 months and 509 (7.8%) more than 6 months. Compared to controls without any allergic disease the relative risk of later asthma, hayfever, atopic dermatitis and of allergic skin sensitization was not diminished by breast feeding. The same result pertained to high risk subgroups defined by positive family history of asthma or hayfever. It is concluded that breast feeding alone has no long term protective effect against atopic diseases.