Published online September 5, 2006
PEDIATRICS Vol. 118 Supplement August 2006, pp. S3-S4 (doi:10.1542/peds.2006-0900E)
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Breast-feeding Reduces the Risk for Childhood Eczema

Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, MD

New York, NY

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY.: To investigate the effect of breastfeeding in various phenotypes of eczema.

STUDY POPULATION.: A birth cohort of 4089 children followed up to 4 years of age.

METHODS.: Data on breastfeeding, allergic symptoms, and potential confounders were obtained from questionnaires when the children were 2 months and 1, 2, and 4 years old. At 4 years, blood allergen-specific immunoglobulin E was analyzed. Children with symptoms of eczema and asthma during the period of breastfeeding were excluded in most analyses on risk assessment of eczema and asthma, respectively, to avoid disease-related modification of exposure.

RESULTS.: Exclusive breastfeeding for ≥4 months reduced the risk for eczema at the age of 4 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63–0.96) irrespective of combination with asthma, sensitization to common allergens, or parental allergic disease. This decreased risk was most evident for children with onset of eczema during the first 2 years persisting to 4 years (OR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.45–0.77). Among children with early-onset eczema, irrespective of persistency, followed by late onset of asthma or early-onset asthma, irrespective of persistency, followed by late-onset eczema to 4 years, a protective effect of breastfeeding was also seen (OR: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.30–0.76).

CONCLUSIONS.: Breastfeeding ≥4 months reduces the risk for eczema and asthma to 4 years of age.

REVIEWER COMMENTS.: Many studies to date have shown that breastfeeding confers a protective effect against early atopic diseases including eczema. This is yet another argument to support breastfeeding.

Kull I, Böhme M, Wahlgren CF, Nordvall L, Pershagen G, Wickman M. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;116:657–661[CrossRef][ISI][Medline]