Dietary prevention of allergic diseases in infants and small children. Part III: Critical review of published peer-reviewed observational and interventional studies and final recommendations

The role of primary prevention of allergic diseases has been a matter ofdebate for the last 40 years. In order to shed some light on this issue, agroup of experts of the Section of Pediatrics EAACI reviewed criticallythe existing literature on the subject. An analysis of published peerreviewedobservational and interventional studies was performed followingthe statements of evidence as defined by WHO. The results of theanalysis indicate that breastfeeding is highly recommended for allinfants irrespective of atopic heredity. A dietary regimen is unequivocallyeffective in the prevention of allergic diseases in high-riskchildren. In these patients breastfeeding combined with avoidance ofsolid food and cow’s milk for at least 4–6 months is the most effectivepreventive regimen. In the absence of breast milk, formulas withdocumented reduced allergenicity for at least 4–6 months should beused.Antonella