Exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of eczema in some schoolchildren

According to preliminary research presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 2019, badfed exclusively bad-fed children for the first three months of their lives were significantly less likely to have eczema at the time of treatment. 6 years old compared to their non-badfed peers or less long time. Annual meeting.

Eczema is a chronic condition characterized by extreme itching of the skin which, when scratched, becomes inflamed and covered with easily cracking blisters. While genes and the environment are involved in this inflammatory disease, many issues remain unresolved, such as the best way to prevent it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), badfed infants are less likely to develop many chronic diseases, including asthma and obesity.

"The evidence that exclusive badfeeding protects children from eczema development later in life remains mixed," said Katherine M. Balas, BS, BA, Clinical Research Assistant at the Children's & # 39; s National and senior author of the study. "Our research team is trying to help fill this data gap."

Balas and his colleagues used data collected as part of Study II, a longitudinal study conducted jointly by the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from 2005 to 2007, as well as by the review follow-up of this study carried out in 2012 by the agencies. cohort. This study first followed the diet of about 2,000 pregnant women starting in the third trimester and examined the feeding practices throughout the first year of their baby's life. Their follow-up survey focused on the health, development and eating habits of 1,520 children aged 6 years.

Eczema was diagnosed in about 300 children during their lifetime and 58.5% of 6-year-olds had eczema at the sixth year follow-up of the CDC / FDA. Children with high socio-economic status or family history of food allergies had a higher risk of being diagnosed with eczema.

"Children who were exclusively badfed for three months or longer were significantly less likely (adjusted odds ratio: 0.477) to have persistent eczema at age 6, compared to their peers. having never been badfed or having been badfed for less than three months, "adds Balas. "Exclusive badfeeding may not prevent children from getting eczema, but it can also protect them from prolonged breakouts.

Provided by
National Children's Medical Center