Eczema in Breast Fed Infants as a Result of Sensitization to Foods in the Mother's Dietary

Abstract

Eczema in breast fed babies has been even more puzzling to physicians than that occurring in the artificially fed, or in adults. Its etiology has been almost wholly a mystery; treatment has been empirical, and results have been as unsatisfactory as one would expect. Recent researches give promise of a rational explanation of the cause and a

Allergy and atopic eczema I

“…Positive skin tests immediately after birth have been reported, and positive Prausnitz-Kustner tests have been performed using cord serum (Kaufman, 1971). The development of typical atopic eczema has been described in breast-fed babies by several authors (Talbot, 1918;Shannon, 1922;Matsumura et al, 1975); the subject has recently been reviewed by Gerrard (1979). In none of these infants were IgE levels measured at birth, nor could one be certain that breast-feeding was in all cases exclusive.…”

“…The role of breast milk in initiating such responses is therefore unclear. There is good evidence, however, that breast milk does contain antigens ingested by the mother (Donnally, 1930;Gamo et al, 1966;Matsumura et al, 1975;Jakobsson & Lindberg, 1978)5 and a role for such antigens in the maintenance of these infants' eczema is supported by the clinical improvement reported to follow appropriate maternal antigen avoidance (Talbot, 1918;Shannon, 1922;Matsumura et al, 1975;Gerrard, 1979).…”

Natural history of IgE‐mediated food allergy in fully breast‐fed babies

“…About 70 years ago American pediatricians documented that atopic dermatitis (AD) in fully breastfed infants could be related to foods ingested by their mothers (l), and that eczema cleared up when the mothers avoided the offending food(s) (2). In addition, it was shown that exclusively breast-fed babies with AD had positive skin tests to foods never ingested (3). It was therefore suggested that food antigens ingested by the mothers might pass into breast milk, thus sensitizing the babies (4).…”

Role of immune complexes in atopic dermatitis

“…Atopic dermatitis caused by food allergy has been described in fully breast-fed infants. This observation may be explained by sensitization in utero or, more probably, by intolerance to some component in the mother's milk (7). We found that breast-fed infants with AD had increased levels of IgG antibodies to BLG.…”

“…This observation may be explained by sensitization in utero or, more probably, by intolerance to some component in the mother's milk (7). This observation may be explained by sensitization in utero or, more probably, by intolerance to some component in the mother's milk (7).…”