Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2009 Dec;19(4):374-382.

Association of Breast-feeding and Allergic Diseases in Preschool Aged Children

• Shin JW
• Kim WK
• Yoon HS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The effect of breastfeeding on the development of allergic disease has been assessed in many studies but remains controversial. Thus, we evaluated the prevalence of allergic disease and its association with breastfeeding among preschool children.
METHODS
A questionnaire survey was conducted in 604 kindergarten children from 5 different kindergartens in Seoul between May and June, 2004. Parents or guardians were asked to answer the duration of breast-feeding and the time of weaning diet.
RESULTS
For the question, "Have you been treated for allergic disease during the past 12 months?" showed 4.5% of in asthma, 11.3% and 19.0% were in allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis, respectively. Exclusive breast-feeding for the first 4 months was noted in 21.8% of the children, compared with 55%, partial breast-feeding or only formula milk feeding in 23.2%. The prevalence of wheezing during the past 12 months was significantly lower in children with prolonged breast-feeding than in those with short-term breast feeding infants. There was a significant reduction in risk for atopic dermatitis in breastfeeding compared with formula milk feeding.
CONCLUSION
Breastfeeding seems to have a preventive effect on the development of atopic dermatitis. The risk for wheezing, during the past 12 months was higher for in children with formula milk feeding.

Keyword

Preschool children; Allergic diseases; Prevalence; Breastfeeding

MeSH Terms

Aged
Asthma
Breast Feeding
Child
Child, Preschool
Dermatitis, Atopic
Humans
Infant
Milk
Parents
Prevalence
Surveys and Questionnaires
Respiratory Sounds
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Weaning