title: Faecal eosinophil cationic protein and serum immunoglobulin E in relation to infant feeding practices.
abstract: Background To date, the effects of exclusive breastfeeding duration and timing of solid food introduction on allergy prevention are unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of variable feeding practices on intestinal inflammation in infants using faecal eosinophil cationic protein as a surrogate marker and to assess whether faecal eosinophil cationic protein is associated with serum immunoglobulin E. Methods Subjects ( n = 206) were enrolled from the Prediction of Allergies in Taiwanese CHildren (PATCH) birth cohort study. Stool samples were collected at 6 and 12 months for determining eosinophil cationic protein, and blood was collected for determining total and allergen-specific immunoglobulin E at 12 months. We compared these biomarkers between infants with variable exclusive breastfeeding duration and infants introduced to solid foods at various periods. The association between faecal eosinophil cationic protein, total serum immunoglobulin E and specific immunoglobulin E was also analysed. Results Faecal eosinophil cationic protein was significantly higher in exclusively breastfed infants compared with formula-fed infants and infants who were not exclusively breastfed at 6 months of age ( P < 0.05). At 12 months, infants who were introduced to solid foods at 5-6 months had the lowest faecal eosinophil cationic protein compared with those who were introduced at earlier and later periods. There was no significant association between faecal eosinophil cationic protein and serum immunoglobulin E. Conclusion We found that breastfeeding exclusively for >6 months did not reduce serum immunoglobulin E, but rather increased intestinal inflammation. Faecal eosinophil cationic protein was not associated with total serum immunoglobulin E and specific immunoglobulin E and might not be a useful indictor of immunoglobulin E sensitization in infancy.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.|2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Man-Chin
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hua
authors.affiliation: 2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|3 Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.|2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Sui-Ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: 2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|4 Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsung-Chieh
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.|2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Han
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.affiliation: 2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|5 Division of Chest, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shen-Hao
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.|2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Yung
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: 2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|4 Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuo-Wei
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: 2 Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.|4 Division of Allergy, Asthma and Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jing-Long
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D047150:Eosinophil Cationic Protein
keywords: Atopic sensitization; eosinophil cationic protein; feeding practices; immunoglobulin E; infants; stool