This study would be far more reliable if it focused on the exclusivity
of breastfeeding.  It is very possible that the infants with the highest
IgE levels were mixed fed.  The other component that was neglected was
the diet of the mother.  If an allergic mother were following a
hypoallergenic diet or a rotation diet, her own IgE levels should be
lower.  Then there's also environment - which mothers were keeping a low
dust environment, and which had shag carpet and tons of stuffed animals
collecting allergens in their homes?
        On the other hand, it's possible that the study identified a real
effect.  Perhaps (and this is wild speculation) the immune stimulating
effects of breastmilk apply to IgE as well if mom is not being
adequately treated for her allergies and has high levels of IgE.
Perhaps the answer is to treat allergy more agressively while promoting
exclusive breastfeeding.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]

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