Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 6, 2026
Noninvasive Sampling of Mucosal Lining Fluid for the Quantification of In Vivo Upper Airway Immune-mediator Levels
Published on: August 7, 2017
Breast milk fatty acid composition has a long-term effect on the risk of asthma, eczema, and sensitization
T M van Elten1, L van Rossem1, A H Wijga2
1Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
Breast milk fatty acid levels, specifically n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), are linked to childhood allergies. These associations, including asthma and eczema, persist until age 14.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Breast milk fatty acid composition, including n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), is linked to allergic disease development in children.
- Previous studies focused on younger children, leaving the long-term impact of breast milk PUFAs on older children's allergy status unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between n-3 and n-6 PUFA levels in breast milk and the prevalence of asthma, eczema, and sensitization up to age 14.
- To determine if these associations differ based on maternal allergic status.
Main Methods:
- A nested case-control study within the PIAMA birth cohort.
- Breast milk samples collected at 3 months (N=276).
- Asthma and eczema self-reported up to age 14; specific serum IgE measured at ages 4, 8, and 12 (N=216).
- Generalized estimating equations used for longitudinal data analysis.
Main Results:
- Higher maternal breast milk n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) were associated with lower asthma prevalence up to age 14 (OR 0.50).
- Higher maternal breast milk n-6 LCPs were associated with higher asthma prevalence in children of nonallergic mothers (OR 1.86).
- Similar trends, though weaker, were observed for eczema and sensitization, with consistent associations throughout childhood.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between breast milk fatty acid composition and allergic outcomes (asthma, eczema, sensitization) extends to age 14.
- These associations are evident in children of both allergic and nonallergic mothers, highlighting the enduring impact of early nutrition.
Background:
Levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-6 PUFAs in breast milk are associated with the development of allergic diseases up to school age. However, it is unknown whether this relationship persists when the child becomes older. We therefore studied the association between levels of n-3 PUFAs and n-6 PUFAs in breast milk of allergic- and nonallergic mothers and asthma, eczema and sensitization up to the age of 14 years.
Methods:
The study was nested in the ongoing PIAMA birth cohort. At the child's age of 3 months, 276 mothers provided a breast milk sample. Asthma (N total = 269) and eczema (N total = 274) were self-reported up to the child's age of 14 years. Specific serum IgE levels were measured at the ages of 4, 8 and 12 years (N total = 216). Generalized estimating equations analyses were used to take account of repeated observations.
Results:
Asthma up to the age of 14 years is less prevalent in children of allergic mothers receiving breast milk with higher levels of n-3 long chain polyunsaturated (LCP) fatty acids (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.31-0.79), and more prevalent in children of nonallergic mothers receiving breast milk with higher levels of n-6LCP (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.14-3.03). Weaker associations in similar direction were observed for eczema and sensitization. Direction of associations were consistent and of similar magnitude throughout childhood.
Conclusion:
The association between breast milk fatty acid composition and asthma, eczema and sensitization persists up to the age of 14 years in children of both allergic and nonallergic mothers.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
01:29Asthma-I: Introduction
01:26Asthma-II: Pathophysiology and Classification
Additionally, environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles in determining an individual's susceptibility to asthma and the severity of their condition.
Critical processes in asthma pathophysiology include:
01:23Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
01:20Asthma: Pathogenesis and Management
Asthma is classified as allergic and non-allergic. Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, while factors like cold air, intense emotions, or exercise can induce non-allergic asthma.
01:24Asthma-III: Symptoms and Complications
Classification of Asthma