Hao-Pai Lin1, Bor-Luen Chiang2, Hsin-Hui Yu1, Jyh-Hong Lee1, Yu-Tsan Lin1, Yao-Hsu Yang1, Li-Chieh Wang3. 1. Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Department of Medical Research, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. 3. Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: lindawang@ntu.edu.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether breastfeeding should be discontinued for exclusively breast-fed infants with atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: Eighty-seven exclusively breast-fed infants with AD were enrolled in a prospective observational study. The infants were divided into 3 groups: breastfeeding only (BM group), partial breastfeeding and partial partially hydrolyzed whey formula (pHF-W) (Partial group) and pHF-W only (DC group). The extent and severity of AD were evaluated with the Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) index at enrollment and 3 and 6 months later. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in parental atopy history, PO-SCORAD scores, and medication scores at baseline. At month 3 and 6, the PO-SCORAD scores were significantly decreased in all groups. PO-SCORAD scores at month 3 and 6 and at the last time point when topical corticosteroids were given were significantly different among the groups. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that baseline PO-SCORAD scores and stopping breastfeeding were significantly associated with month 3 PO-SCORAD scores (p < 0.001), after adjusting for sex, age, baseline medication scores, partial breastfeeding and parental atopy history. In addition to baseline PO-SCORAD scores and stopping breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding was significantly associated with month 6 PO-SCORAD scores. Long-term follow-up showed that only stopping breastfeeding was significantly associated with the last time point when topical corticosteroids were given (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: For exclusively breast-fed infants with AD, discontinuing breastfeeding and shifting to pHF-W might help to improve symptoms and shorten the duration of AD regardless of sex, age and parental atopy history.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether breastfeeding should be discontinued for exclusively breast-fed infants with atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS: Eighty-seven exclusively breast-fed infants with AD were enrolled in a prospective observational study. The infants were divided into 3 groups: breastfeeding only (BM group), partial breastfeeding and partial partially hydrolyzed whey formula (pHF-W) (Partial group) and pHF-W only (DC group). The extent and severity of AD were evaluated with the Patient-Oriented SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (PO-SCORAD) index at enrollment and 3 and 6 months later. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in parental atopy history, PO-SCORAD scores, and medication scores at baseline. At month 3 and 6, the PO-SCORAD scores were significantly decreased in all groups. PO-SCORAD scores at month 3 and 6 and at the last time point when topical corticosteroids were given were significantly different among the groups. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that baseline PO-SCORAD scores and stopping breastfeeding were significantly associated with month 3 PO-SCORAD scores (p < 0.001), after adjusting for sex, age, baseline medication scores, partial breastfeeding and parental atopy history. In addition to baseline PO-SCORAD scores and stopping breastfeeding, partial breastfeeding was significantly associated with month 6 PO-SCORAD scores. Long-term follow-up showed that only stopping breastfeeding was significantly associated with the last time point when topical corticosteroids were given (p = 0.014). CONCLUSION: For exclusively breast-fed infants with AD, discontinuing breastfeeding and shifting to pHF-W might help to improve symptoms and shorten the duration of AD regardless of sex, age and parental atopy history.