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J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005 Jun;115(6):1238-48.
The role of breast-feeding in the development of
allergies and asthma.
Friedman NJ, Zeiger RS.
Southern California Permanente Medical Group,
7060 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, San Diego, CA
92111, USA.
noah.j.friedman@kp.org
Breast-feeding is the preferred method of infant
nutrition for numerous reasons. However, its
role in the prevention of allergic disease
remains controversial. Reasons for this
controversy include methodological differences
and flaws in the studies performed to date, the
immunologic complexity of breast milk itself
and, possibly, genetic differences among
patients that would affect whether
breast-feeding is protective against the
development of allergies or is in fact
sensitizing. The preponderance of evidence does
suggest, however, that there would be much to
lose by not recommending breast-feeding. In
general, studies reveal that infants fed
formulas of intact cow's milk or soy protein
compared with breast milk have a higher
incidence of atopic dermatitis and wheezing
illnesses in early childhood. Consistent with
these findings, exclusive breast-feeding should
be encouraged for at least 4 to 6 months in
infants at both high and low risk of atopy and
irrespective of a history of maternal asthma.
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