Abstract

GOMES, Marisa Monteiro  and  REBELO, Susana Patricia Leal. Breastfeeding and allergic disease prevention: an evidence-based review. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2019, vol.35, n.3, pp.203-209. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v35i3.12095.

Introduction: Allergic diseases are among the most common diseases affecting children and have a substantial impact on the quality of life of patients and/or caregivers. Breast milk is the food of choice in the first year of life, with several established benefits. However, its role in the prevention of allergic diseases is controversial. Objective: To determine the effect of breastfeeding compared with adapted formula or mixed feeding in the reduction of allergic disease in children up to 18 years of age. Data sources: MEDLINE and Evidence-based medicine databases. Review methods: Research of studies published between January 2007 and March 2017, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, using the MeSH terms: breastfeeding, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food hypersensitivity. The American Family Physician's Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) was used to establish the quality of the studies and define the strength of recommendation. Results: Three hundred and seven articles were obtained and seven met the inclusion criteria: one meta-analysis, one systematic review, two randomized clinical trials, one observational study, and two clinical guidelines. Overall, in relation to atopic dermatitis, it appears that breastfeeding is protective mainly up to two years of age, although some studies didn’t find any association. In relation to allergic rhinitis, breastfeeding was protective up to five years of age and in asthma until 18 years of age. Finally, for food allergy, no association with breastfeeding was found. Conclusions: Breastfeeding has a protective effect on the onset of asthma (SORT A) and allergic rhinitis (SORT B). Regarding food allergy and atopic dermatitis, the results are controversial, therefore, it is not possible to confirm its protective effect (SORT B). In face of this results further studies of good quality and for long periods of time are required.

Keywords : Breastfeeding allergic disease; Asthma; Allergic rhinitis; Atopic dermatitis.

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