Breastfeeding Impact on Childhood Asthma and Allergic Diseases

Breastfeeding has been widely studied as a modifiable early-life exposure with potential to influence the development of asthma and allergic diseases. Human milk delivers a unique composition of bioactive compounds including secretory IgA, oligosaccharides and anti-inflammatory factors that shape the neonatal immune system and gut microbiota. Observational studies and mechanistic research suggest that both the duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding are associated with a reduced incidence of early-life eczema, wheezing and rhinitis, particularly among infants with a family history of atopy or other risk factors. Protective effects appear strongest during infancy and preschool years, with heterogeneous results at school age and beyond. Variation in study designs, exposure definitions and outcome ascertainment has led to discrepancies in the magnitude and persistence of these associations. Emerging data point to the interplay between breastfeeding, environmental agents such as air pollution or tobacco smoke, and timing of allergen introduction as key determinants of long-term respiratory health. Understanding the mechanistic pathways and causal relationships remains a priority for optimising feeding guidelines and preventive strategies on a global scale.

Research from Nature Portfolio

No recent Nature Portfolio content available.

Breastfeeding Impact on Childhood Asthma and Allergic Diseases publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in breastfeeding impact on childhood asthma and allergic diseases across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Atopy: A genetic predisposition to develop IgE-mediated allergic reactions such as eczema, asthma and rhinitis.

Exclusive breastfeeding: Feeding an infant only breast milk without any supplemental formula, water or solid foods, typically for the first six months.

Odds ratio (OR): A statistical measure expressing the odds of an outcome occurring in one group relative to another.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE): An antibody isotype involved in allergic sensitisation and parasitic defence.

Reverse causality: A bias in observational research where early symptoms of a disease influence exposure status, rather than exposure affecting disease risk.

References

1. Full Breastfeeding and Allergic Diseases—Long-Term Protection or Rebound Effects?. Nutrients (2023).
2. Breastfeeding and the Developmental Origins of Asthma: Current Evidence, Possible Mechanisms, and Future Research Priorities. Nutrients (2018).
3. Breastfeeding and risk of childhood asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ERJ Open Research (2021).
4. Exclusive or Partial Breastfeeding for 6 Months Is Associated With Reduced Milk Sensitization and Risk of Eczema in Early Childhood. Medicine (2016).
5. Association of Breastfeeding and Air Pollution Exposure With Lung Function in Chinese Children. JAMA Network Open (2019).