Short version - continuing to bfd is critically important with Celiac
Long version - Celiac disease involves changes in the intestinal lining
which prevent the
absorption of foods, mainly fat. The damage appears to be caused by a
sensitivity to the gluten factor of protein found in wheat, rye, oats, and
barley. The child with this disorder will show no symptoms until
gluten-containing solids are introduced into the infants diet.
Internationally, health professionals recognize that breastfeeding reduces
the incidence of Celiac disease, and in breastfed infants this condition
does not appear until gluten-containing solids are introduced. Recent
research suggests that the duration of solely breastfeeding is more
important than delaying the introduction of gluten-containing solids.
"Mothers of infants with this condition should be encouraged to breastfeed
for a long period" (Riordan and Auerbach, 1993). Currently the general
recommendations are that for all babies gluten-containing solids should be
introduced while continuing to breastfeed, since the breastmilk has a
protective effect for the baby.
In an article entitled, "Breastfeeding and celiac disease in Sweden," Ted
Greiner, PhD states that to reduce the incidence of celiac disease health
professionals should, "Promote as the ideal exclusive breastfeeding for six
months followed by a gradual exposure to solid foods, but with breast milk
dominating the diet during the latter half of the first year"
<http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Spa/3156/celiac.htm>. No mention is
made that the mother should not eat foods containing gluten.
Dr. Karoly Horvath an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of
Maryland at Baltimore summarizes the current thinking on gluten passing
through breastmilk. "Breast milk may contain all the antibodies the mother
has in her digestive and respiratory systems. The function of these
antibodies is to block the entrance of antigens infectious agents, toxins, a
llergens, etc. across the digestive or respiratory tract of babies. In case
of Celiac Disease, it means that if the mother has circulating antibodies to
gliadin, these antibodies appear in the milk. If the breast fed baby ingests
gliadin (or the mother ingests accidentally and traces of gliadin appear in
the milk) the antibodies in the milk blocks the gliadin and it will not able
to cross the intestinal wall and meet with the baby's immunosystem.
Theoretically, the breast-fed infant does not have any immunoreaction to
gliadin. If the mother accidentally ingests gliadin during breast feeding it
is likely that the concentration of antigliadin antibodies become higher in
the breast milk. ... The antibodies in breast milk are protective and do not
"trigger" celiac disease in genetically predisposed babies. There are
several data showing that breast feeding has a protective effect in case of
celiac disease. Furthermore, it is well documented that breast feeding in
the first year of life decreases the risk of allergies by 50% in babies
whose parents have allergies" <
http://www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/exp/exp97-2.html#exp97-2s.4>.
"Breastfeeding is not a lifestyle choice, but an important health choice for
mother and baby. ... Breastfeeding reduces the child's risk of ... Crohn's
disease (Bergstrand, 1983) celiac disease (Auricchio, 1983), chronic liver
disorders (Udall, 1985), and many less serious illnesses (Cunningham, 1991).
The health benefits continue not only through the entire breastfeeding
relationship, but the risk of some illnesses may be further reduced the
longer a mother breastfeeds (Chilvers, 1993; Wolff, 1993; Owen, 1993). These
significant health benefits have been recognized by the Executive Director
of UNICEF in his letter to all physicians dated June 29, 1994, in which he
urges the medical profession to actively encourage breastfeeding "
<http://www.lalecheleague.org/llleaderweb/LV/LVNovDec94p85.html>.
To summarize information for this mother:
- gluten/gliadin molecules do apparently pass through breastmilk, but at the
same time antigliadin antibodies are passed to the baby which prevent the
gluten from crossing into the baby's bloodstream
- for all babies gluten-containing solids should be introduced while
continuing to breastfeed, since the breastmilk has a protective effect for
the baby.
- breastfeeding is recognized worldwide as preventing Celiac disease in many
cases, and delaying symptoms and having an ongoing protective effect in
babies who develop the disease
- health professionals recommend that mothers of babies with Celiac disease
breastfeed for long periods of time, with one researcher recommending
breastmilk dominate the diet at 6 -12 months
- the World Health Organization and many health authorities recommend
continuing breastfeeding for two years and beyond for all babies; this
recommendation would be all the more important for babies with health
conditions such as Celiac disease
Some journal citations are available at:
http://www.lalecheleague.org/cbi/biospec.html
OUTCOMES OF BREASTFEEDING VERSUS FORMULA FEEDING
Michelle Bentley, CLE
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sue Lunn" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2002 7:41 AM
Subject: Breastfeeding and coeliac disease in toddler
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