Breastfeeding protects against current asthma up to 6 years of age

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
• Public Health Nutrition
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Asthma is a prevalent chronic respiratory condition in childhood.
• The role of infant feeding practices, particularly breastfeeding, in asthma development requires further elucidation.
• Understanding protective factors is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between breastfeeding duration and the incidence of current asthma and wheezing in children aged 2 to 6 years.
• To differentiate the effects of exclusive breastfeeding versus any breastfeeding on childhood asthma.
• To investigate potential modifying effects of atopy on the breastfeeding-asthma relationship.

Main Methods:

• Prospective birth cohort study of 1105 infants in New Zealand.
• Detailed infant feeding data collected via questionnaires at multiple time points (birth, 3, 6, 15 months).
• Wheezing and current asthma assessed annually from ages 2 to 6 years; logistic regression used for analysis.

Main Results:

• Each additional month of exclusive breastfeeding was linked to a significant reduction in current asthma from ages 2 to 6 (P<.03).
• Each month of any breastfeeding reduced current asthma at ages 2, 3, and 4 (P<.005).
• In atopic children, exclusive breastfeeding for ≥3 months showed substantial reductions in current asthma at ages 4 (62%), 5 (55%), and 6 (59%).

Conclusions:

• Breastfeeding, especially exclusive breastfeeding, offers significant protection against current asthma up to age 6.
• The protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding on asthma risk is evident in all children and more pronounced in atopic children after age 3.
• Findings support breastfeeding promotion for asthma prevention in early childhood.