Allergic diseases in infancy: I - Epidemiology and current interpretation

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Immunology
• Epidemiology
• Microbiology
• Biology

Background:

• The prevalence of allergic diseases has significantly increased in the 21st century.
• Infant environmental changes are strongly linked to this rise in allergies.
• Western lifestyle factors are associated with increased allergy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on factors influencing allergic disease development.
• To explore potential future strategies for preventing allergies.
• To synthesize findings from the 8th Human Milk Workshop.

Main Methods:

• A narrative review approach was employed.
• Information was gathered from pediatrics, epidemiology, biology, microbiology, and immunology.
• Discussions and conclusions from the 8th Human Milk Workshop were summarized.

Main Results:

• Environmental factors like cesarean sections increase allergy risk, while farm exposure may be protective.
• Both nutritive and non-nutritive factors influence later-life allergy risk.
• Human milk components (immunoglobulins, cytokines, prebiotics) show potential for allergy prevention, though breastfeeding's role in food allergy is not fully clear.

Conclusions:

• Western lifestyle factors contribute to allergic disease development.
• New protective interventions are suggested based on current theories.
• While mother's milk protects against infections, its role in allergy prevention requires further elucidation.