Infant feeding and childhood atopy: does early introduction of non-milk fluids matter?

Abstract

Studies on the role of non-milk fluids in the development of child atopic disease are scarce. We had a unique opportunity to investigate prospective association between the introduction of fruit syrup, orange juice, sterilized water, vitamins and honey at 1 month and the development of child atopic disease. The exposure of interest was measured by parental report of non-milk fluids introduction to infants aged 1 month at the Tasmanian Infant Health Survey, 1988-89, Tasmania. Data on the outcomes of interest (atopic sensitization, asthma, eczema and hay fever) were collected during the 1997 Childhood Allergy and Respiratory Health Study when children were 8 yr old. Relative risks were derived..