Breast-feeding and atopic disease: A cohort study from childhood to middle age

Abstract

Background: The literature regarding the association between breast-feeding and atopic diseases has been contradictory. Objective: We have assessed the relationship between breast-feeding and atopic disorders in a cohort followed into middle age. Methods: The Tasmanian Asthma Study is a population-based prospective cohort study that has followed participants from the age of 7 to 44 years. Exclusive breast-feeding in the first 3 months of life was examined as a risk factor for atopic diseases by using multiple logistic regression and generalized estimating equation analyses. Results: At age 7 years, exclusively breast-fed children with a maternal history of atopy had a marginally lesser risk ..