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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