title: Allergic diseases among very preterm infants according to nutrition after hospital discharge.
abstract: To determine whether a cow's milk-based human milk fortifier (HMF) added to mother's milk while breastfeeding or a cow's milk-based preterm formula compared to exclusively mother's milk after hospital discharge, increases the incidence of developing allergic diseases among very preterm infants (VPI) during the first year of life. Of a cohort of 324 VPI (gestational age 24-32 wk), the exclusively breastfed VPI were shortly before discharge randomized to breastfeeding without fortification or supplementing with a fortifier. Those not breastfed were fed a preterm formula. The intervention period was from discharge until 4 months corrected age (CA). Follow-up was performed at 4 and 12 months CA including specific IgE to a panel of allergens at 4 months CA. The incidence during and prevalence at 12 months CA of recurrent wheezing (RW) was 39.2% and 32.7%, while atopic dermatitis (AD) was 18.0% and 12.1%, respectively. Predisposition to allergic disease increased the risk of developing AD (p=0.04) [OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.0-6.4)] and the risk of developing RW (p=0.02) [OR 2.7 (95% CI 1.2-6.3)]. Boys had an increased risk of developing RW (p=0.003) [OR 3.1 (95% CI 1.5-6.5)]. No difference was found between nutrition groups. None developed food allergy. Compared to exclusively breastfed, VPI supplemented with HMF or fed exclusively a preterm formula for 4 months did not have an increased risk of developing allergic diseases during the first year of life.
authors.affiliation: Hans Christian Andersen Children's Hospital, Odense University Hospital, Odense C, Denmark. Gitte.Zachariassen@ouh.regionsyddanmark.dk
authors.forename: Gitte
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zachariassen
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faerk
authors.forename: Birgitte H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Esberg
authors.forename: Jesper
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fenger-Gron
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mortensen
authors.forename: Henrik T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Christesen
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Halken
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002417:Cattle; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry*; D015995:Prevalence; D012135:Respiratory Sounds; D016896:Treatment Outcome