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Published on: August 7, 2017

Breastfeeding and childhood asthma: a six-year population-based cohort study

Pia Fredriksson1, Niina Jaakkola, Jouni Jk Jaakkola

  • 1Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. piaf@pp.inet.fi

BMC Pediatrics
|November 30, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding duration impacts asthma risk. Optimal breastfeeding is 4-6 months for reduced asthma and wheezing in children. Shorter or longer durations may increase risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health Nutrition

Background:

  • The protective effect of breastfeeding on childhood asthma development is of significant interest.
  • Existing scientific evidence regarding the optimal duration of breastfeeding for asthma prevention remains controversial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between breastfeeding duration and the risk of asthma in school-aged children.
  • To examine the secondary outcomes of persistent wheezing, cough, and phlegm in relation to breastfeeding duration.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study with baseline data from 1991 and follow-up in 1997.
  • Involved 1984 children aged 7–14 years at follow-up (77% retention rate).
  • Breastfeeding data collected at baseline; health outcomes assessed at follow-up.

Main Results:

  • A U-shaped relationship was observed between breastfeeding duration and the risk of asthma.
  • The lowest risk for asthma was associated with breastfeeding durations of 4 to 9 months.
  • Optimal breastfeeding duration for persistent wheezing, cough, and phlegm was 7 to 9 months.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest a U-shaped relationship between breastfeeding duration and asthma risk, with an optimal range of 4 to 6 months.
  • This concave relationship may explain inconsistencies in previous research findings.
  • The study highlights a potential window for breastfeeding duration to mitigate asthma risk.
Abstract

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