Clinical Abstracts: Breastfeeding and Atopy

Clinical Abstracts: Breastfeeding and Atopy

With Comments by Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD

Source: Gdalevich M, et al. Breast-feeding and onset of atopic dermatitis in childhood: A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:520-527.

Description: This systematic review and meta-analysis of 18 prospective studies, with a total of 4,150 participants, evaluated the association between exclusive breastfeeding during the first three months after birth and atopic dermatitis. The mean follow-up was 4.5 years. The summary odds ratio for the protective effect of breastfeeding was 0.68 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.80). In children with a family history of atopy (parent or sibling), the summary odds ratio (OR) for protective effect was better (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.41-0.92) than in combined populations (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.59-1.19); the few studies that examined atopic dermatitis in children without atopic parents or siblings found no relationship (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.72-2.86).

Comments: This review provides important evidence that breastfeeding for at least three months reduces the risk of atopic dermatitis substantially in children with atopic first-degree relatives. It is interesting that there is no effect in children without atopic parents or siblings.