<http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7712401.stm>
This is just so wrong on so many levels, I don't know where to start...
yes I do.. "It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding for four
to six months reduces the risk of allergy and this should be the aim,"
No mixed message there then.
Urgh.
Morgan Gallagher
--
Baby milk that could prevent eczema
*Janet Askargaliyeva and her family are plagued by allergies. *
She has an allergy to grass pollen and often finds it difficult to sleep
because of nasal congestion.
Her brother and his children also suffer from a variety of allergy
related conditions, including eczema.
So Janet is determined to do everything possible to prevent her second
child, due this month, having the same health problems.
This is why the 34-year-old London secretary has signed up for a new
trial at St Mary's Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS
Trust, which is trialling hypoallergenic formula milk in a bid to try to
prevent allergies in babies.
Janet intends to breastfeed until she goes back to work after three
months, and also plans to express some milk to build up stores.
However, like many mothers, she might need to turn to formula milk
eventually and is keen to make sure that if she does, then it is the
best version possible for her child's health.
"I was just looking for anything I could do to help or to protect my
little one," she said.
The new study, called PATCH, will trial the milk formula with babies at
risk of developing allergies to see how it influences the development of
eczema.
*Breastfeeding promoted *
All the mothers in the trial will be encouraged to breastfeed, but those
who decide to use formula before four months will either be offered the
new hypoallergenic milk or a placebo.
Paediatrician Dr Bob Boyle said the international trial hopes to recruit
about 1,200 pregnant women in total - 50 of these at St Mary's.
"Basically the PATCH study is trying to find the next best way to feed
infants apart from breastfeeding and how to control allergies," he said.
"We know that a significant proportion of women do introduce formula
within the first few months of life in this part of the world and we
believe this increases the risk of allergic symptoms, compared to
exclusive breastfeeding.
"So we are trying to find a formula that will reduce the negative impact
of introducing formula early.
"We are not suggesting that this formula might be better than breast
milk and we are making that quite clear in the study."
Dr Boyle said eczema often does not develop until the second year of
life - but about 70% of cases become apparent by the time a child is 18
months old.
For that reason, the study will follow up the children taking part in
the study regularly until they reach 18 months.
However, the team believe it is the first few months of feeding that are
likely to be crucial.
*Easier to digest *
The new formula contains prebiotics, natural compounds found in breast
milk that encourage healthy bacteria to develop in the gut and help
prevent allergies.
It also contains pre-digested proteins, rather than whole proteins,
which are broken down into smaller pieces, making them easier to digest.
John Collard, clinical director of Allergy UK, welcomed the research.
"It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding for four to six
months reduces the risk of allergy and this should be the aim," he said.
"However, not every mum is able to breastfeed and using normal formula
feeds can increase the chances of allergy developing in children from
allergic families.
"We welcome any research into formula milks which could be used to
follow on from breastfeeding, or in place of it, and which could reduce
the risk of allergy in these children."
Anyone interested in taking part in the trial should contact Suzan
Jeffries, research midwife on 0207 886 7611 or 07872 850262
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