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Infant feeding, wheezing, and allergy: a prospective study

M L Burr1, E S Limb, M J Maguire

  • 1Centre for Applied Public Health Medicine, Cardiff, South Glamorgan.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|June 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Early life cow's milk avoidance did not prevent allergy or wheezing in children. However, breastfeeding was associated with reduced wheezing incidence up to age 7, particularly in non-atopic children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Allergy and Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Investigating early life factors influencing childhood allergy and wheezing is crucial for prevention strategies.
  • A family history of allergic disease is a significant risk factor for developing allergies in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the impact of withholding cow's milk protein in early infancy on the development of allergy and wheezing.
  • To assess the long-term effects of breastfeeding on wheezing and allergic disease up to age 7.
  • To identify other environmental or familial determinants of wheezing and allergy.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 453 children with a family history of allergic disease.
  • Intervention group: cows' milk protein avoidance for the first three months, replaced with soy milk.
  • Follow-up to age 7, assessing allergy and wheezing incidence, with data on breastfeeding, environmental exposures, and demographics.

Main Results:

  • Withholding cows' milk protein did not significantly reduce the incidence of allergy or wheezing.
  • Children who were ever breastfed had a lower incidence of wheeze (59%) compared to those never breastfed (74%).
  • This protective effect of breastfeeding on wheeze persisted to age 7 in non-atopic children, halving the risk after adjusting for covariates. Allergic disease showed no association with tobacco smoke, dust mite, or cat exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Early avoidance of cow's milk protein is not effective in preventing childhood allergy or wheezing.
  • Breastfeeding appears to offer long-term protection against wheezing, particularly in non-atopic children.
  • Breastfeeding may also confer protection against respiratory infections, suggesting broader health benefits.

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