Breastfeeding and IL-10 levels in children affected by cow's milk protein allergy: A restrospective study

To assess the protective role of breast-feeding in infants with CMPA-related AEDS as well as IL-10 utility as marker of disease evolution.

64 breast-feeding children with CMPA-related AEDS (31 males and 33 females; mean age 5.56±2.41months; 21 mild AEDS; 25 moderate AEDS; 18 severe AEDS) and 60 artificial feeding babies (33 males and 27 females; mean age 6.01±2.08months; 26 mild AEDS; 19 moderate AEDS; 15 severe AEDS) were evaluated. In all patients serum IL-10 levels were detected.

Significant Score Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index point differences between breastfed and not breastfed children (p<0.001) have been detected. The serum IL-10 levels were lower in children with CMPA-related AEDS as compared to the healthy control group (p<0.001). Moreover, a significant inverse correlation between serum IL-10 levels and SCORAD in both enrolled groups has been also noted. In particular, IL-10 levels, in both groups, were significantly lower in children with severe symptoms. Conversely, serum IL-10 levels were significantly increased in children with mild-severe symptoms in both groups. Furthermore, breastfed children, with lower severe symptoms, had higher serum IL-10 levels. Finally, serum total IgE levels were negatively correlated with serum IL-10 levels in both breastfed and non-breastfed children with CMPA-related AEDS (p<0.001).

We reported that exclusive breast-feeding induces hyposensitization in children with CMPA-related AEDS and it is associated with minor disease severity and higher serum IL-10 levels, resulting as useful disease-monitor marker.