Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2019 Aug;12(3):301-307. 10.21053/ceo.2018.01781.

Long-term Breastfeeding in the Prevention of Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for Kids (ARCO-Kids Study)

• Han DH
• Shin JM
• An S
• Kim JS
• Kim DY
• Moon S
• Kim JS
• Cho JS
• Kim SW
• Kim YH
• Roh HJ
• Shim WS
• Rha KS
• Kim SW
• Lee SS
• Kim DW
• Cho KS
• Yim HJ
• Park SK
• Rhee CS

• KMID: 2455372
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21053/ceo.2018.01781

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
There is a great deal of interest in the possibility that environmental factors may influence the risk of developing allergic rhinitis (AR) in early life. We investigated the simultaneous effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding on the development of AR in children.
METHODS
Data from 1,374 children participating in the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for kids (ARCO-kids study) was analyzed. All subjects were divided into AR or non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) groups. Data on environmental factors, mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding were collected using a questionnaire.
RESULTS
Compared with short-term breastfeeding (<6 months), long-term breastfeeding (≥12 months) was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of AR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34 to 0.88). Children in the AR group also had a higher cesarean delivery rate than those in the NAR group (39.1% vs. 32.8%, P=0.05). Regarding the combined effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding, long-term breastfeeding with a vaginal delivery strongly suppressed the development of AR, compared to short-term breastfeeding with a cesarean delivery (aOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.73).
CONCLUSION
Long-term breastfeeding (≥12 months) and a vaginal delivery are associated with a lower risk of developing childhood AR.

Keyword

Rhinitis, Allergic; Breast Feeding; Environment; Delivery, Obstetric; Cesarean Section

MeSH Terms

Breast Feeding*
Cesarean Section
Child
Cohort Studies*
Delivery, Obstetric
Female
Humans
Odds Ratio
Pregnancy
Prevalence
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic*

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. The 14 participating centers located in the six provinces of Korea, from the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for kids (ARCO-kids).

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