Breast-milk characteristics protecting against allergy.
Breast milk and colostrum are the first feeding sources for a child, providing nutrients, growth factors and immunological components, which are crucial for the newborn's correct development and health. Length of exclusive breastfeeding and time of solid foods introduction is a key factor that may influence allergy development. There is an emerging evidence of a relationship between breastfeeding, milk composition and lower risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension and allergies. This review examines current evidence regarding humoral and cellular characteristics of breast-milk, and potential role of environment, maternal diet and breastfeeding on the allergy development in children.
Federica
F
Minniti
Pasquale
P
Comberiati
Daniel
D
Munblit
Giorgio L
GL
Piacentini
Elisa
E
Antoniazzi
Laura
L
Zanoni
Attilio L
AL
Boner
Department of Pediatrics, G.B. Rossi Polyclinic, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy. diego.peroni@univr.it.
Diego G
DG
Peroni
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000906:Antibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000378:metabolism; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D000906:Antibodies; D016207:Cytokines; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory