Abstract
Introduction: Published studies on potential protective effect of breastfeeding against childhood eczema remain conflicting. We explored the association between breastfeeding and childhood eczema in a large cohort study.
Methods: We analyzed data from a population-based cohort in Leicestershire, UK. Breastfeeding prevalence and duration (0, ≤3, 3-6, >6months) were evaluated at baseline in 1998. Current eczema (defined as reported eczema during last 12 months) was assessed in 1998, and at 4 follow-up surveys in 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2010. We applied a generalised estimating equation (GEE) model to account for repeated measurements of outcome, controlling for sex, ethnicity, daycare attendance, number of older siblings, family history of atopy, socio-economic status and maternal smoking status.
Results: Among 6808 children whose parents replied (response rate 79%) in 1998, 2851 (42%) were never breastfed, 1920 (28%) were breastfed ≤3 and 1221 (18%) >6 months. 1489 (36%) had current eczema at age 1, prevalence decreased throughout childhood to 14% at age 17. 4885 children with full information (i.e. 13174 observations) were included in the GEE model. There was no detectable protective effect of breastfeeding prevalence (OR=0.94, 95% CI: 0.85-1.05, p=0.28) or duration (≤3months, OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.85-1.09, p=0.54; 3-6months, OR=0.85, 95% CI: 0.72-1.01, p=0.06; >6months, OR=0.97, 95% CI: 0.84-1.12, p=0.70) on eczema, and there was no effect modification by family atopic history.
Conclusion: Our study does not provide evidence for a protective effect of breastfeeding against childhood eczema, confirming the conclusions of recently published systematic reviews.
Funding: SNF32003B-144068; CSC201308340039; SNF PDFMP3 137033; Asthma UK 07/048.
- Copyright ©ERS 2015