Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite scarce scientific evidence, current feeding guidelines recommend delayed introduction of solids for the prevention of asthma and allergy.
AIMS: To explore whether late introduction of solids is protective against the development of asthma, eczema, and atopy.
METHODS: A total of 642 children were recruited before birth and followed to the age of 5(1/2) years. Main outcome measures were: doctor's diagnosis of eczema ever, atopy according to skin prick test results against inhalant allergens, preschool wheezing, transient wheezing, all defined at age 5-5(1/2) years. Introduction of solids as main exposure measure was assessed retrospectively at age 1 year.
RESULTS: There was no evidence for a protective effect of late introduction of solids for the development of preschool wheezing, transient wheezing, atopy, or eczema. On the contrary, there was a statistically significant increased risk of eczema in relation to late introduction of egg (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4) and milk (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.5). Late introduction of egg was furthermore associated with a non-significant increased risk of preschool wheezing (aOR 1.5, 95% CI 0.92 to 2.4). There was no statistical evidence of feeding practices playing a different role in the development of asthma and eczema after stratification for parental asthma and atopy status.
CONCLUSIONS: Results do not support the recommendations given by present feeding guidelines stating that a delayed introduction of solids is protective against the development of asthma and allergy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 303-8 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Archives of Disease in Childhood |
| Volume | 89 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2004 |
Keywords
- Age Factors
- Asthma
- Child, Preschool
- Cohort Studies
- Eczema
- Female
- Humans
- Infant
- Infant Food
- Male
- Multivariate Analysis
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Respiratory Sounds
- Retrospective Studies
- Time Factors
- Weaning