Long-term Breastfeeding in the Prevention of Allergic Rhinitis: Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for Kids (ARCO-Kids Study)

• Main Authors: Doo Hee Han, Jae-Min Shin, Seokyung An, Jong Seung Kim, Dong-Young Kim, Sungji Moon, Jung-Soo Kim, Joong Saeng Cho, Si Whan Kim, Young Hyo Kim, Hwan-Jung Roh, Woo Sub Shim, Ki-Sang Rha, Sang-Wook Kim, Seung-Sin Lee, Dae Woo Kim, Kyu-Sup Cho, Hyo Jin Yim, Sue K. Park, Chae-Seo Rhee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Society of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2019-08-01
• Series: Clinical and Experimental Otorhinolaryngology
• Subjects: Rhinitis, Allergic; Breast Feeding; Environment; Delivery, Obstetric; Cesarean Section
• Online Access: http://www.e-ceo.org/upload/pdf/ceo-2018-01781.pdf

Objectives There is a great deal of interest in the possibility that environmental factors may influence the risk of developing allergic rhinitis (AR) in early life. We investigated the simultaneous effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding on the development of AR in children. Methods Data from 1,374 children participating in the Allergic Rhinitis Cohort Study for kids (ARCO-kids study) was analyzed. All subjects were divided into AR or non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) groups. Data on environmental factors, mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding were collected using a questionnaire. Results Compared with short-term breastfeeding (<6 months), long-term breastfeeding (≥12 months) was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of AR (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34 to 0.88). Children in the AR group also had a higher cesarean delivery rate than those in the NAR group (39.1% vs. 32.8%, P=0.05). Regarding the combined effects of mode of delivery and duration of breastfeeding, long-term breastfeeding with a vaginal delivery strongly suppressed the development of AR, compared to short-term breastfeeding with a cesarean delivery (aOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.73). Conclusion Long-term breastfeeding (≥12 months) and a vaginal delivery are associated with a lower risk of developing childhood AR.