I may be well behind the information curve on this one, but I remember someone
posting recently that a pediatric GI specialist had told a mother that her
baby's colitis was being caused by her breastmilk.
At the time I was incredulous, but today I just finished reading the Academy
of Breastfeeding Medicine newsletter Vol. 4 #4 (great issue by the way) and
they had a very interesting article on Breastfeeding and allergic disease
which cited research references for atopic dermatitis and enterocolitis caused
by breastfeeding!
Two possible pathways were hypothesized: 1) "derangements in the types of
polyunsaturated fatty acids" in the breastmilk ; and 2) the presence of
dietary food allergens in the breastmilk. (I think most people can agree to
#2)
I had never heard of the first theory and it is briefly mentioned that
children with atopic dermatitis improved with oral supplements to baby of
primrose oil that contains a mixture of polyunsaturated fatty acids. No dose
was given. *
After re-reading the article I'm not sure if the authors were regarding the
atopic dermatitis and enterocolitis as being part of the same allergic
manifestation or different manifestations of allergic response with different
suggested pathways. Maybe someone else on Lactnet can clarify?
The specific references cited for theory 1 * are: (15 references are cited
in all)
1. Goldman AS, Kantak AG, Ham Pong A. Food hypersensitivities: Historical
perspectives, diagnosis and clinical presentations. In: Brostoff J,
Challacome
SJ, eds, Food Allergy and Intolerance, 2nd ed. United Kingdom: Bailliere-
Tindall, W.B. Saunders Publ. 1999; in press.
2. Hanson LA, Breastfeeding provides passive and likely long-lasting active
immunity. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1998:81-523-537
3. Hattevig G, Kjellman B, Sigurs N, et al Effect of maternal avoidance of
eggs, cow's milk and fish during lactation upon allergic manifestations in
infants. Clin Exp Allergy, 1989:19:27-32
4. Isolauri K, Tahvanainen A, Peltola T, Arvola T, Breast-feeding of allergic
infants. J. Pediatr. 1999;134:27-32
5 Hansen AE, Knott EM, Wiest HF, Shaperman E, McQuarrie I. Eczemz and
essential fatty acids. Am J Dis Child 1947;73:1-18
6. Biagi PL, Bordoni A, Masi M, Ricci G, Panelli C, Patrizi A, Ceccolini E.
A long term study on the use of evening primrose oil (Efamol) in atopic
children. Drugs Under Exptl Clin Res. 1988;14:285-290.
Cindy Neary RN
|
