Breastfeeding, specific foods in the first year of life, and asthma at 6 years of age

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the association between breastfeeding, the introduction of specific foods in the first year of life, and asthma symptoms at 6 years of age. METHODS: A longitudinal study was conducted involving 956 children in southern Brazil. Asthma symptoms were assessed through the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire. Information regarding breastfeeding and the introduction of complementary foods during the first year of life was obtained through interviews with mothers conducted at home. A multivariate analysis was performed using Poisson regression, and relative risks were estimated to assess the magnitude of the associations. RESULTS: Among the 956 children included in the study, 18.7% exhibited asthma symptoms. Male children had a 3% higher incidence [RR=1.03 (95%CI 1.01–1.06); p=0.023]. Children with a family history of asthma showed a 9% higher incidence [RR=1.09 (1.06–1.13); p<0.001] compared to those without such a history. Nonbreastfed children had an 8% higher incidence [RR=1.08 (95%CI 1.02–1.15); p=0.015]. Moreover, children who were introduced to wheat flour during the first year of life had a 4% higher incidence [RR=1.04 (95%CI 1.01–1.06); p=0.020] of asthma symptoms. CONCLUSION: Significant and independent associations were observed between asthma symptoms at 6 years of age and male sex, family history of asthma, breastfeeding, and the introduction of wheat flour during the first year of life.