Early life acute infections and risk for cow's milk protein allergy or atopic dermatitis at 6 months of age in high risk for allergy infants

2024

Early Life Infections and Allergy Risk in Infants

Sample size: 551 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Pancheva Rouzha, Illiodromiti Zoi, Moschonis George, Kontopodi Eva, Karapati Eleni, Nicolaou Nicolaos, Karaglani Eva, Sekkidou Mikaela, Popova Simoneta, Usheva Nataliya, Marinova Miglena, Xepapadaki Paraskevi, Sardeli Olympia, Kapetanaki Anastasia, Iacovidou Nicoletta, Boutsikou Theodora, Papathoma Evangelia, Manios Yannis

Primary Institution: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, “Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov” Medical University—Varna, Varna, Bulgaria

Hypothesis

What is the relationship between early life infections and the risk of cow's milk protein allergy or atopic dermatitis in high-risk infants?

Conclusion

Early life infections may protect against cow's milk protein allergy, especially in exclusively breastfed infants.

Supporting Evidence

The incidence of cow's milk protein allergy was significantly lower in infants with early life infections compared to those without.
No cases of cow's milk protein allergy were observed in exclusively breastfed infants with early life infections.
Infants fed partially hydrolyzed formula showed a trend towards lower incidence of atopic dermatitis with early life infections.

Takeaway

Getting sick early in life might help babies avoid certain allergies later on, especially if they're breastfed.

Methodology

The study was a multicenter, randomized controlled trial with infants divided into three feeding groups: exclusive breastfeeding, partially hydrolyzed formula, and standard formula.