Breast-feeding in relation to asthma, lung function, and sensitization in young schoolchildren - 07/08/11
, Erik Melen, MD a, d, Johan Alm, MD e, f, Jenny Hallberg, PhD e, Magnus Svartengren, MD c, Marianne van Hage, MD g, Göran Pershagen, MD a, Magnus Wickman, MD a, e, Anna Bergström, PhD a
Reprint requests: Inger Kull, PhD, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Norrbacka 3rd Level, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.Abstract |
Background |
The evidence from previous studies on beneficial effects of breast-feeding in relation to development of asthma is conflicting.
Objective |
To investigate the relation between breast-feeding and asthma and/or sensitization during the first 8 years of life.
Method |
In a birth cohort, children were followed up to 8 years by questionnaires at ages 2 months and 1, 2, 4, and 8 years to collect information on exposures and health effects. Determination of serum IgE antibodies to common inhalant and food allergens was performed at 4 and 8 years. Longitudinal analyses were applied by using general estimated equations. The study population consisted of 3825 children (93% of the original cohort), of whom 2370 gave blood and 2564 performed lung function measurements at 8 years.
Results |
Children exclusively breast-fed 4 months or more had a reduced risk of asthma during the first 8 years of life (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50-0.78) compared with children breast-fed less than 4 months. At 8 years, reduced risks of sensitization (adjusted OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.64-0.99) and asthma in combination with sensitization (adjusted OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.93) were seen among children exclusively breast-fed 4 months or more. This group also had a significantly better lung function measured with peak expiratory flow.
Conclusion |
Breast-feeding for 4 months or more seems to reduce the risk of asthma up to 8 years. At this age, a reduced risk was observed particularly for asthma combined with sensitization. Furthermore, breast-feeding seems to have a beneficial effect on lung function.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : Breast-feeding, asthma, sensitization, lung function, infant feeding, prevention, BAMSE
Abbreviations used : BAMSE, GEE, MEFV, OR, PEF
Plan
| Supported by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association’s Research Foundation, the Vardal Foundation for Health Care Sciences and Allergy Research, the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, and the Stockholm County Council. |
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| Disclosure of potential conflict of interest: E. Melen has received research support from Konsul ThC Bergh’s Foundation (Sweden). J. Alm has participated in a focus group for ALK. M. Wickman has received lecture fees from MSD and Phadia. The rest of the authors have declared that they have no conflict of interest. |
Vol 125 - N° 5
P. 1013-1019 - mai 2010 Retour au numéro
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