Breastfeeding reduces risk of asthma in first four years of life,
from Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology

MILWAUKEE – Exclusive breastfeeding from birth to four months reduces the risk of asthma during the first four years of life, according to a study in the October 2004 Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology (JACI). The JACI is the peer-reviewed scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).

Inger Kull, RN, and colleagues from the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health in Stockholm , Sweden, evaluated the relationship between breastfeeding and asthma in 4,089 newborns. Data was collected from the parents on symptoms related to wheezing and other allergic diseases in their child at one, two and four months of age. Data on breastfeeding was collected after 1 year of age. Exclusive breastfeeding was defined as the period when the infants were given only breast milk, and no cow's milk or solid foods had been introduced.

Researchers found:

• Four year olds who had been exclusively breast-fed for the first four months showed a lower risk of asthma.

• 9.1% of children exclusively breast-fed for less than 4 months had asthma, compared to 6.4% among children breast-fed 4 months or more.

• Continued partial breastfeeding after exclusive breastfeeding also had a protective effect.

• The protective effects of breastfeeding were greatest among children whose parent(s) did not have asthma or allergies.

The researchers had previously showed the same results in children at 2 years of age. This study expands on those findings, showing that a more prolonged period of breastfeeding not only reduces the risk of asthma during the first four years of life, but it also appears to reduce the severity of the disease as well.

The AAAAI represents allergists, asthma specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease. Established in 1943, the AAAAI has more than 6,500 members in the United States, Canada and 60 other countries. The AAAAI serves as an advocate to the public by providing educational information and a physician referral directory through its Web site at www.aaaai.org.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: This study was published in the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, but does not necessarily reflect the policies or the opinions of the Academy. The study will appear in the October 2004 JACI, but is currently available on the JACI Web site. To receive a copy of the study, please contact John Gardner (jgardner@aaaai.org) at (414) 272-6071. For more information and access to the archive of past JACI news releases, visit the Media Center of the AAAAI Web site, www.aaaai.org.