Effect of egg avoidance diet by nursing mothers on the incidence of atopic dermatitis in infants

• Main Authors: Neti Nurani, Endy Paryanto Prawirohartono, A. Samik Wahab
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Indonesian Pediatric Society Publishing House 2008-05-01
• Series: Paediatrica Indonesiana
• Subjects: atopic dermatitis; allergy; maternal avoidance diet; clinical trial; sensitization
• Online Access: https://paediatricaindonesiana.org/index.php/paediatrica-indonesiana/article/view/481
• ISSN: 0030-9311; 2338-476X

Background The prevalence of allergic and atopic diseases has increased rapidly and remains a social as well as an economic problem for the patients on account of its chronic nature. In order to decrease the atopic diseases, especially atopic dermatitis in infants, nursing mothers should avoid allergenic foods as a preventive sensitization. Egg allergy is the most common cause of food allergy, and is closely related to atopic dermatitis in children. Objective To determine whether egg avoidance diet by nursing mothers could decrease the incidence of atopic dermatitis in infants. Method We conducted a parallel randomized-controlled trial. Seventy-nine subjects eligible for the study were divided into two groups: egg avoidance and non-egg avoidance group. Block randomization is used for random allocation. Intervention started since mothers had had delivery until their children were 4 months old. The primary outcomes were clinical atopic dermatitis. Result Atopic dermatitis incidence in maternal egg avoidance group was significantly lower than non-avoidance group. Non- avoidance, family history of asthma, and maternal allergy are the factors significantly influencing atopic dermatitis incidence (OR 6.17; OR 4.73; OR 0.14), respectively. Conclusion Egg avoidance by nursing mothers could decrease the incidence of atopic dermatitis in infants. Non-egg avoidance and asthma in the families are factors significantly inducing the incidence of atopic dermatitis.