New! Sign up for our free email newsletter.
Science News
from research organizations

Breastfeeding may help prevent children's asthma exacerbations later in life

Date:
September 1, 2017
Source:
Wiley
Summary:
An analysis of children with asthma, those who had been breastfed had a 45 percent lower risk of asthma exacerbations later in life compared with children who had not been breastfed.
Share:
FULL STORY

In a Pediatric Allergy and Immunology analysis of children with asthma, those who had been breastfed had a 45% lower risk of asthma exacerbations later in life compared with children who had not been breastfed.

Investigators analyzed data from 960 children aged 4 to 12 years who were using regular asthma medication.

"Although in our study breastfeeding was shown to be a protective factor for asthma exacerbations, it is still unclear whether there is a causal relation between breastfeeding and asthma exacerbations; however the relation might be explained by the influence of breastfeeding on the immune system. Changes in the composition and activity of the gut microbiome in early life can influence the immune system and these changes might indirectly lead to changes in asthma later in life," said Dr. Anke Maitland-van der Zee, senior author of the study. "Further prospective research is warranted to confirm this association and to clarify the underlying mechanisms."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Wiley. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Fariba Ahmadizar, Susanne J. H. Vijverberg, Hubertus G. M. Arets, Anthonius de Boer, Johan Garssen, Aletta D. Kraneveld, Anke H. Maitland-van der Zee. Breastfeeding is associated with a decreased risk of childhood asthma exacerbations later in life. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 2017; DOI: 10.1111/pai.12760

Cite This Page:

Wiley. "Breastfeeding may help prevent children's asthma exacerbations later in life." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 1 September 2017. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170901093855.htm>.
Wiley. (2017, September 1). Breastfeeding may help prevent children's asthma exacerbations later in life. ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 4, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170901093855.htm
Wiley. "Breastfeeding may help prevent children's asthma exacerbations later in life." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170901093855.htm (accessed November 4, 2024).

Explore More

from ScienceDaily

RELATED STORIES