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Infant feeding practices impact eczema development. Exclusive breastfeeding beyond 12 weeks may reduce eczema in infants with a family history of atopy, but mixed feeding beyond this duration may increase incidence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Allergy and Immunology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Eczema is a common condition in infants.
- Infant feeding is a potential modifiable factor in eczema development.
- Family history of atopy is a known risk factor for eczema.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between infant feeding practices and the development of eczema.
- To examine the influence of family history of atopy on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study followed 198 infants from birth to 4.5-5 years.
- Infant feeding methods (breastfeeding, cow's milk formula) were recorded.
- Eczema development and family history of atopy were assessed.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in eczema incidence between initially breastfed infants and those on cow's milk formula.
- Higher eczema incidence in infants with a family history of atopy.
- Exclusive breastfeeding beyond 12 weeks was associated with reduced eczema in infants with a family history of atopy.
- Mixed feeding beyond 12 weeks was associated with increased eczema incidence across all infants.
Conclusions:
- Infant feeding duration and exclusivity, particularly beyond 12 weeks, play a role in eczema development.
- The protective effect of prolonged exclusive breastfeeding against eczema is more pronounced in infants with a genetic predisposition to atopy.
- Mixed feeding beyond 12 weeks may increase eczema risk irrespective of atopic predisposition.
Abstract:
198 infants were followed up from birth until 4 1/2-5 years to observe the development of eczema and asthma and its relation to infant feeding. Findings here refer only to eczema. Comparison between those initially breastfed, regardless of duration, and those fed on cows milk preparations showed little difference in the incidence of eczema, but there was a higher incidence of eczema in those with an immediate family history of atopy than in those with no such history. Comparison of infants breastfed for less than and more than 12 weeks showed: the incidence of eczema fell in infants with an immediate family history of atopy when exclusive breastfeeding was continued beyond 12 weeks, whereas the incidence of eczema rose in all breastfed infants, regardless of their atopic family history, when breastfeeding, combined with other foods, was continued beyond 12 weeks.