Thank you very much for the clarification. I know there is a lot to this
subject, and that there are many unknowns. Thank you for sharing your
expertise.
Warmly, Kathleen
Kathleen Bruce RN IBCLC
Independent consultant: Breastfeeding Clinic of Vermont, Lactation
Resources of Vermont, Medela, Inc.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Shornick,Laurie [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 3:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Asthma and Breastfeeding (long)
First an introduction, I have been lurking on Lactnet for some time now
and mostly I just read and learn. I am a newly accredited La Leche
League Leader, and I want to thank the listmothers for such a valuable
resource. I have found Lactnet to be an incredible source of information
while I was a leader applicant & I know it will continue to be an
important resource now that I am a leader.
The reason that I write now is that I am also a scientist researching
asthma so I felt like this was a topic on which I might be able to
contribute something. (FYI, I have not been involved in any studies on
the effects of breastfeeding and asthma -- my comments are based solely
on the published literature)
Kathleen Bruce wrote:
"A few days ago, there was an article in the NY Times about the epidemic
of childhood asthma. It was a long article, and no where in the article
did it mention breastfeeding as a possible prevention to this horrifying
problem, one that is so rampant especially in the lower income inner
city population of children.
I am here sick, and in a fog, but I can't find the article...someone who
is not sick : ) needs to respond to this, as it was an obvious oversight
of the author..and I am sure one can find it at www.nytimes.com. It was
just two days ago, or so.
It goes to show you that breastfeeding is not on the map of people's
awareness."
From my perspective the causes of asthma are still a "black box". We
know that there are genetic factors and environmental factors (i.e., air
pollution, cigarette smoke and allergens). The laboratory where I work
is also studying the role of certain viral infections which may alter
the airway epithelium (cells lining the airways) to an asthma phenotype.
There is also a "hygiene hypothesis" which suggests that asthma and
allergies are a result of living in a relatively "clean" environment. In
developing countries where parasitic infections are prevalent, there is
reduced incidence of allergies and asthma. Thus, having an immune
response to a parasite may be protective of developing asthma and
allergies. Further, within developed countries it has also been found
that children living on farms or in homes with animals have reduced
incidence of asthma. However the jury is still out on any definitive
cause of asthma.
Similarly, I believe that the jury is also still out on the protective
effects of breastfeeding on asthma. A quick PubMed search for "asthma
AND breastfeeding" will pull out a number of articles -- but you will
find some data showing a protective effect for breastfeeding, some data
showing the opposite effect, and some with no significant difference.
For some examples of discussions on both sides of this issue see: the
May 2004 issue of Journal of Human Lactation and also Jan. 2004 issue of
New England Journal of Medicine. There is clearly so much more we need
to learn about this disease and its relationship to breastfeeding.
So, I would be hesistant to respond to the NY Times article about the
protective effects of breastfeeding on asthma at this time, unless I
could be sure that my proof is firmly grounded on evidenced-based
research.
So, that's my quick two cents worth. Hope you feel better soon,
Kathleen.
Laurie P. Shornick, Ph.D.
St. Louis, Missouri
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