Morgan

Interesting about the proposed new British research.  But this has 
already been done.

See BMJ. 1989 Jul 22;299(6693):228-30.
Erratum in:
BMJ 1989 Oct 7;299(6704):896.
Influence of maternal diet during lactation and use of formula feeds 
on development of atopic eczema in high risk infants.
Chandra RK, Puri S, Hamed A.

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Janeway Child Health Centre, Canada.

OBJECTIVE--To examine the effects of maternal diet during lactation 
and the use of formula feeds on the development of atopic eczema in 
infants at risk. DESIGN--Mothers who planned to breast feed 
exclusively were randomly allocated to either a restricted diet 
(avoiding milk and other dairy products, eggs, fish, peanuts, and 
soybeans) or a diet without restrictions. Mothers who did not plan to 
breast feed were randomly allocated to using one of three formula 
feeds. SETTING--Child health centre in Canada. SUBJECTS--97 Mothers 
who chose to breast feed and 124 mothers who did not. 
INTERVENTIONS--Restricted diet for 49 mothers who breast fed. Casein 
hydrolysate formula, soy milk formula, or cows' milk formula for 
infants not breast fed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Development of eczema 
in babies. RESULTS--Infants were followed up over 18 months and 
examined for eczema. Eczema was less common and milder in babies who 
were breast fed and whose mothers were on a restricted diet (11/49 
(22%) v 21/48 (48%)). In infants fed casein hydrolysate, soy milk, or 
cows' milk 9/43 (21%), 26/41 (63%), and 28/40 (70%), respectively, 
developed atopic eczema. CONCLUSIONS--In families with a history of 
atopic disease [corrected] mothers who breast feed should avoid 
common allergenic foods during lactation. If they choose not to 
breast feed a hydrolysate formula should be used.

PIP: To examine the effects of maternal diet during lactation and the 
use of formula feeds on the development of atopic eczema in infants 
at high-risk, a group of 97 mothers who chose to breastfeed and 124 
mothers who did not were examined at a child health center in Canada. 
Mothers who chose to breastfeed exclusively were randomly allocated 
to either a restricted diet (avoiding milk and other dairy products, 
eggs, fish, peanuts, and soybeans) or a diet without restrictions. 
Mothers who did not plan to breastfeed were randomly allocated to the 
use of 1 of 3 formula feeds. Their choices were either casein 
hydrolysate formula, soy milk formula, or cows' milk formula. Infants 
were followed for over 18 months and examined for eczema. Eczema was 
less common and milder in babies who were breastfed and whose mothers 
were on a restricted diet (11 of 49 [22%] vs 21 of 48 [48%]). In 
infants fed the casein hydrolysate formula, soy milk, or cows' milk, 
9 of 43 (21%), 26 of 41 (63%), and 28 of 40 (70%), respectively, 
developed atopic eczema. In families with a history of atopic eczema, 
mothers who breastfed should avoid common allergenic foods during 
lactation. If they choose not to breastfeed, a hydrolysate formula 
should be used. author's modified

[Me again]  Now, before anyone points out that the work of this 
researcher has been discredited, let me say that yes, I know. See 
http://www.cbc.ca/national/news/chandra/       But I just looked at 
some of his abstracts again.  He's been writing about comparisons 
between breastfeeding and special formulas and ordinary formulas for 
many, many years.  He has some remarkably good things to say about 
exclusive breastfeeding and prevention of allergy.  The study above 
was partly funded by Mead Johnson.  His research has also been 
published in a Nestle Nutrition Workshop publication.  Could the 
discreditaton of this man's research be a manifestation of one or 
more formula companies attempting to discredit the research of 
another formula company?   We often perceive this sort of thing to be 
an us and them thing;  what about them and them??

Just asking .......

Pamela Morrison IBCLC
Rustington, England.

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