Fatty acids in breast milk and development of atopic eczema and allergic sensitisation in infancy

C. Thijs*, A. Mueller, L. Rist, I. Kummeling, B. E. P. Snijders, M. Huber, R. Van Ree, A. P. Simoes-Wuest, P. C. Dagnelie, P. A. van den Brandt

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background: One of the explanations for the increasing prevalence of atopic diseases is a relative low perinatal supply of n-3 fatty acids. However, this does not explain the protective effects of whole-fat dairy products or high levels of transfatty acids in breast milk, observed in some studies. We evaluated the role of perinatal supply of fatty acids in the early development of atopic eczema and allergic sensitisation. Methods: Fatty acids, including n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPs) as well as ruminant fatty acids (rumenic acid, cis-9,trans-11-C18:2 conjugated linoleic acid; and vaccenic acid, trans-11-C18:1), were determined in breast milk sampled at 1 month postpartum from 310 mother-infant pairs in the KOALA Birth Cohort Study, the Netherlands. Children were followed for atopic outcomes until 2 years of age. Results: Higher concentrations of n-3 LCPs as well as ruminant fatty acids were associated with lower risk of (1) parent-reported eczema, (2) atopic dermatitis (UK Working Party criteria), and (3) sensitisation at age 1 year (as revealed by specific serum IgE levels to cow's milk, hen's egg and/or peanut). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, the inverse associations between ruminant fatty acid concentrations in breast milk and atopic outcomes were found to be independent from n-3 LCPs. Conclusions: The results confirm a protective role of preformed n-3 LCPs in the development of atopic disease. Moreover, this is the first study in humans confirming results from animal studies of protective effects of ruminant fatty acids against the development of atopic manifestations.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)58-67
JournalAllergy
Volume66
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2011

Keywords

  • atopy
  • eczema
  • human milk
  • omega-3 fatty acids
  • organic dairy
  • ruminant fatty acids

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