Unlike the conclusions of the revised Cochrane review the export group set up by the Section on Paediatrics , European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology ( SP-EAACI ) do not find that the exclusion of the four trials dem and s a change of the previous recommendations regarding primary dietary prevention of allergic diseases .
Based on analysis of published peer- review ed observational and interventional studies the results still indicate that breastfeeding is highly recommended for all infants irrespective of atopic heredity .
A dietary regimen is effective in the prevention of allergic diseases in high-risk infants , particularly in early infancy regarding food allergy and eczema .
The most effective dietary regimen is exclusively breastfeeding for at least 4 - 6 months or , in absence of breast milk , formulas with documented reduced allergenicity for at least the first 4 months , combined with avoidance of solid food and cow 's milk for the first 4 months
Effect of an allergy prevention programme on incidence of atopic symptoms in infancy
A total of 105 “ high‐risk ” infants born in 1988 were studied prospect ively from birth to 18 months of age . The infants were recommended breastfeeding and /or hypoallergenic formula ( Nutramigen or Profylac ) combined with avoidance of solid foods during the first 6 months of life . All mothers had unrestricted diet . Avoidance of daily exposure to tobacco smoke , furred pets and dust‐collecting material s in the bedroom were advised . This prevention group was compared with a control group consisting of 54 identically defined “ high‐risk ” infants born in 1985 in the same area . All infants had either severe single atopic predisposition combined with cord blood IgE ≥ 0.5 KU/1 or biparental atopic predisposition . The control group had unrestricted diet and was not advised about environmental factors . Apart from the prevention programme and year of birth the prevention group and the control group were comparable . The parents were highly motivated and compliance was good . The rate of participation was 97 % , and 85 % followed the dietary measures strictly . The cumulative prevalence of atopic symptoms was significantly lower at 18 months in the prevention group ( 32 % ) , as compared with the control group ( 74 % ) ( p<0.01 ) , due to reduced prevalence of recurrent wheezing ( 13 % , versus 37 % ; p<0.01 ) , atopic dermatitis ( 14 % versus 31 % ; p<0.01 ) , vomiting/diarrhoea ( 5 % versus 20 % ; p<0.01 ) and infantile colic ( 9 % versus 24 % ; p<0.01 ) . The cumulative prevalence of food allergy was significantly lower in the prevention group ( 6 % versus 17 % ; p<0.05 ) . In both high‐risk groups daily exposure to tobacco smoke increased the risk of recurrent wheezing significantly ( p<0.01 ) . The main difference between the prevention group and the control group was the diet . Thus , feeding with breastmilk and /or hypoallergenic formula combined with avoidance of solid foods until the age of 6 months appeared to reduce the cumulative prevalence of atopic symptoms during the first 18 months of life
Unlike the conclusions of the revised Cochrane review the export group set up by the Section on Paediatrics , European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology ( SP-EAACI ) do not find that the exclusion of the four trials dem and s a change of the previous recommendations regarding primary dietary prevention of allergic diseases .
Based on analysis of published peer- review ed observational and interventional studies the results still indicate that breastfeeding is highly recommended for all infants irrespective of atopic heredity .
A dietary regimen is effective in the prevention of allergic diseases in high-risk infants , particularly in early infancy regarding food allergy and eczema .
The most effective dietary regimen is exclusively breastfeeding for at least 4 - 6 months or , in absence of breast milk , formulas with documented reduced allergenicity for at least the first 4 months , combined with avoidance of solid food and cow 's milk for the first 4 months