Study of breastfed infants with atopic dermatitis

Monday, 02 November 2009 23:14

Some believe that breastfeeding infants confers a degree of protection against the subsequent development of allergy. However, there remains much controversy in this area. Results of a recent study suggest that breastfeeding might not always be beneficial in allergy prevention in some high-risk infants. Researchers reviewed 143 infants (77 boys and 66 girls) with atopic dermatitis who were younger than 6 months and were classified into the following 3 groups based on the type of feeding they received: breastfed, mixed feeding, and formula fed. None of the infants had ever been fed egg or soy. The total and specific IgE levels were then assessed using a commercially available assay. 

Results showed the total IgE level and egg-specific IgE level were significantly higher in infants within the group than in the formula fed group. The rate of sensitization to egg was also significantly higher in the breastfed group when compared with the formula fed group.

Reference: Han et al. 2009 Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, Vol 103(4) pp. 332-336.