Just received a note about a study showing that breastfeeding beyond six
months helps to reduce asthma:

K. A. W. Karunasekera, J. A. C. T. Jayasinghe, and L. W. G. R. Alwis.
Risk Factors of Childhood Asthma: A Sri Lankan Study. Journal of Tropical
Pediatrics 2001;47:142-145

A case-control study was carried out to evaluate the genetic and
environmental risk factors of childhood asthma in a group of Sri Lankan
children. Three hundred cases (admitted with symptoms of asthma) and 300
age-matched controls were compared over a period of 23 months commencing in
January 1996. Family history of atopy, feeding habits in infancy,
bronchiolitis in infancy, passive smoking, exposure to dust and dampness,
and exposure to pet animals were studied as risk factors for asthma.
Parental asthma, asthma in a sibling and in a relative, parental allergic
rhinitis, discontinuation of breastfeeding after 6 months in infancy,
bronchiolitis in infancy, living in a dusty environment, and a father with
primary education compared to secondary education were independently
associated with an increased risk of asthma (p < 0.05). This study
reinforces the view that asthma has a multifactorial aetiology. Influence of
paternal asthma is more than that of maternal asthma. As a preventive
measure continuation of breastfeeding beyond 6 months is important.

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Harare, Zimbabwe
email:[log in to unmask]

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