Abstract
This study aimed to explore associations between non-cholesterol sterol concentrations in breast milk and allergic outcomes in children aged two. Data from the KOALA Birth Cohort Study, the Netherlands, were used. Non-cholesterol sterols were analyzed by gas–liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry in breast milk sampled one-month postpartum (N = 311). Sterols were selected for each allergic outcome, i.e., eczema, wheeze, and allergic sensitization, prior to analyses. Associations between the selected sterols with allergic outcomes were analyzed using multiple logistic regression to calculate odds ratios (ORs). The odds of eczema in the first two years of life were lower with higher concentrations of cholestanol (OR (95%CI): 0.98 (0.95; 1.00), p = 0.04), lanosterol (0.97 (0.95; 1.00), p = 0.02), lathosterol (0.93 (0.87; 0.99), p = 0.02), and stigmasterol (0.51 (0.29; 0.91), p = 0.02) in breast milk sampled one-month postpartum. None of the sterols were associated with wheeze in the first two years of life. The odds of allergic sensitization at age two were lower with higher concentrations of campesterol in breast milk (OR (95%CI): 0.81 (0.70; 0.95), p = 0.01). In conclusion, our data suggest that exposure to higher non-cholesterol sterol concentrations in breast milk may indeed be associated with the prevention of allergic outcomes in the first two years of life.
Highlights
Accepted: 8 February 2022Breastfeeding is the preferred nutrition for newborns and infants [1]
The odds of eczema in the first two years of life were significantly lower with higher concentrations of cholestanol (OR (95%CI): 0.98 (0.95; 1.00), p = 0.04), lanosterol (0.97 (0.95; 1.00), p = 0.02), lathosterol (0.93 (0.87; 0.99), p = 0.02), and stigmasterol (0.51 (0.29; 0.91), p = 0.02) in breast milk one-month postpartum
The odds of allergic sensitization at age 2 were significantly lower with a higher concentration of campesterol in breast milk one-month postpartum (OR (95%CI): 0.81 (0.70; 0.95), p = 0.01)
Summary
Breastfeeding is the preferred nutrition for newborns and infants [1]. Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and to combine breastfeeding with complementary foods for children aged from six months to two years and beyond [2]. Breastfeeding has several health benefits for infants. Breastfeeding has been associated with a decreased risk of child mortality in the first two years of life [3]. Breastfeeding even has health benefits tracking into adulthood. Breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk of several non-communicable diseases in adults, such as cardiovascular diseases [5,6], obesity [7,8], and type 2 diabetes [7,9]. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the potential role of breastfeeding for the prevention of allergic outcomes in newborns and infants [10–15]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
