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Effect of breastfeeding duration on lung function, respiratory symptoms and allergic diseases in school‐age children
Author(s) -
Gorlanova Olga,
Appenzeller Rhea,
Mahmoud Yasmin S.,
Ramsey Kathryn A.,
Usemann Jakob,
Decrue Fabienne,
Kuehni Claudia E.,
Röösli Martin,
Latzin Philipp,
Fuchs Oliver,
Soti Andras,
Frey Urs
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pediatric pulmonology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.866
H-Index - 106
eISSN - 1099-0496
pISSN - 8755-6863
DOI - 10.1002/ppul.24733
Subject(s) - medicine , wheeze , breastfeeding , asthma , exhaled nitric oxide , spirometry , pediatrics , cohort , breast feeding , cohort study
Background A positive effect of breastfeeding on lung function has been demonstrated in cohorts of children with asthma or risk for asthma. We assessed the impact of breastfeeding on lung function and symptoms at the age of 6 years in an unselected, healthy birth cohort. Methods We prospectively studied healthy term infants from the Bern‐Basel Infant Lung Development (BILD) cohort from birth up to 6 years. Any breastfeeding was assessed by weekly phone calls during the first year of life. Risk factors (eg, smoking exposure, parental history of allergic conditions, and education) were obtained using standardized questionnaires. The primary outcomes were lung function parameters measured at 6 years of age by spirometry forced expiratory volume in 1 second, body plethysmography (functional residual capacity [FRC pleth ], the total lung capacity [TLC pleth ], and the effective respiratory airway resistance [R eff ]) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Secondary outcomes included ever wheeze (between birth and 6 years), wheeze in the past 12 months, asthma, presence of allergic conditions, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis, and positive skin prick test at the age of 6 years. Results In 377 children the mean breastfeeding duration was 36 weeks (SD 14.4). We found no association of breastfeeding duration with obstructive or restrictive lung function and FeNO. After adjustment for confounders, we found no associations of breastfeeding duration with respiratory symptoms or the presence of allergic conditions. Conclusion This study found no evidence of an association between breastfeeding and comprehensive lung function in unselected healthy children with long‐term breastfeeding. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that the duration of breastfeeding has a direct impact on lung function in a healthy population with low asthmatic risk.