Reviews: Paediatrics The Link Between Breastfeeding & Asthma – Tenuous or Trustworthy?

• The Asthma Society of Ireland reports that the current prevalence of childhood asthma in the Irish population is approximately 15% • The World Health Organization (2002) and the Department of Health and Children in Ireland (2003) recommend breastfeeding for the first six months of life • 1 out of every 3 Irish mothers breastfeed, at least initially • High levels of soluble CD14 in breast milk have been suggested to play a pivotal immunomodulatory role in the protection against atopy development • Breast milk contains Omega fatty acids which are thought to confer protection against atopy by decreasing the synthesis of pro-inflammatory lipid mediators such as prostaglandin E2 CLINICAL HIGHLIGHTS Aim: The primary aim of this review was to examine the evidence for and against breastfeeding as a protective factor in the development of asthma in childhood. Methods: A literature search was carried out using the PubMed database, yielding 304 papers between the dates of 1-Jan-1999 and 2-Feb-2007. An English language restriction was imposed. Reviewers assessed study quality and extracted data. Relevant data were obtained from Irish