Association between exclusive breastfeeding and atopic dermatitis in a third level of care hospital

Abstract

Objetive. To assess whether exclusive breastfeeding is associated with atopic dermatitis in children under seven years of age. Materials and Methods. Non-paired case and control type study conducted in a third level of care hospital (Lambayeque Regional Hospital) between June 2016 and May 2018 in which 260 cases and 260 controls recruited in outpatient consultation of the Dermatology and Pediatrics services were evaluated. The UK criteria were used for the diagnosis of atopic dermatitis, as well as a survey with possible risk factors. Results. In the bivariate analysis, differences were found between cases and controls in relation to exclusive breastfeeding (p=0.001), family history of atopy (p<0.001), parents’ educational level (p<0.001), smoking in the presence of the child (p=0.006), and origin (p=0.002). Exclusive breastfeeding was present in 93 (35.8%) of cases compared to 132 (50.8%) of controls. The multivariate analysis using logistic regression found that exclusive breastfeeding would have a protective effect on the presence of atopic dermatitis (OR= 0.62; 95% CI= 0.41-0.94) adjusted by age, sex, background, parents’ educational level, initiation of complementary feeding, family member with atopy, and smoking habit. Conclusions. Exclusive breastfeeding would have a protective effect on the appearance of atopic dermatitis in children under the age of seven.