Breastfeeding exclusively increases the risk of eczema.
Researchers' opinions on the effect of breastfeeding on the risk of eczema, allergies or asthma have recently been divided. Hans Bisgaard and colleagues from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) recently analysed data from infants whose mothers had a history of the latter condition.
According to a publication in the 18 March online edition of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, those of the children studied who had been exclusively breastfed appeared to have a higher incidence of eczema, but a lower incidence of early onset dawn (abnormal respiratory murmurs). There were no observable correlations between levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast milk and these abnormalities.