Should pregnant and breast-feeding mothers restrict their own diet to prevent sensitization of the infant?
• At present prospective interventional studies in high-risk infants show evidence of the effect of dietary allergy-preventive measures as regards food allergy, especially cows milk protein allergy, and eczema • Feeding exclusively human milk for at least 4 months is associated with a lower cumulative incidence of cow milk allergy until 18 months. • No convincing evidence for a preventive effect of maternal diet during pregnancy or lactation. • A documented hypoallergenic formula (extensively hydrolysed formula) combined with avoidance of solid foods for 4-6 months reduces the cumulative incidence of cow milk allergy and eczema. • Partially hydrolysed formula may have an effect, although it seems to be less than that of extensively hydrolysed formula at present. • No evidence for a preventive effect of a diet after the age of 4-6 months, although this needs additional investigation. • This preventive effect has only been demonstrated in high-risk infants. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CRITICA
