The Effects of Breast-milk Feeding on Severe Atopic Dermatitis In Korean Infant and Toddler

Abstract

RATIONALE: This study is designed to evaluate the effect of breast-milk feeding among the severe atopic dermatitis having multiple food allergen sensitization in Korean children. METHODS: This study subjects were recruited from the Pediatric Allergy Clinic at Inha University hospital from April 2005 to March 2006. The subjects above 56 SCORAD score and under 24 months old were selected. Parents or guardians were interviewed. The specific IgE test(MAST) for 20 foods was done. The MAST above 2 class is thought to be positive sensitization. RESULTS: The number of subjects is 24 (18 boy, 6 girl). The mean age is 11 months old(4-20 months). The patients who ate breast-milk till 4 months after birth are 19 (79.2%), who till 2 weeks are 2 (8.3%), and who never breast-milk are 3 (12.5%). The patients with frequent wheezing are 11 (45.8%). The average of positive MAST allergens are 7.5 kinds of allergens(3-19 allergens). The all patients are positive for egg white and 22 patients (91.7%) for milk. Parents allergy history shows 8 allergic rhinitis, 1 asthma, 1 allergic rhinitis and asthma, 3 atopic dermatitis, 1 food allergy, and 10 nothing of allergic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, breast-milk feeding till 4 months after birth did not give the prevention effects on the patients of severe atopic dermatitis under 24 months old from atopic or non atopic parents. The research to identify the certain antibodies or allergens from breast-milk to develop and aggravate the atopic dermatitis is needed.