BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding is undisputedly preferable to formula feeding for infant nutrition because of its nutritional, immunological and psychological benefits. However, studies on the association between breastfeeding and development of atopic dermatitis (AD) have shown inconsistent results. OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3 months after birth and the development of AD in childhood. METHODS: An electronic literature search of MEDLINE (January 1966-May 2008) and EMBASE (1980-May 2008) was conducted. Prospective cohort studies that met the predetermined criteria were independently assessed by three reviewers. The pooled effect estimate was calculated by random effects model. Heterogeneity across the studies was investigated by meta-regression analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies with 27 study populations were included for meta-analysis. The summary odds ratio (OR) for the effect of exclusive breastfeeding on the risk of AD was 0.89 (95% confidence interval, CI 0.76-1.04). Heterogeneity was found across the studies (chi(2) = 83.6, d.f. = 26; P<0.001). Breastfeeding was associated with a decreased risk of AD (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.50-0.99) when analysis was restricted to the studies comparing breastfeeding with conventional formula feeding. The pooled OR for study populations with atopic heredity was 0.78 (95% CI 0.58-1.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no strong evidence of a protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding for at least 3 months against AD, even among children with a positive family history.

OBJECTIVE: To access the therapeutic effect of Tuina for treatment of infants eczema. METHODS: Two hundred and forty children with eczema were randomly divided into a Tuina group and a medication group, 120 cases in each group. The Tuina group was treated with Tuina on ten points using the thumb and middle finger, and the medication group was treated with oral administration of Chlorpheniramine and topical application of zinc oxide ointment or Youzhuoer ointment, etc. The therapeutic effects were evaluated after 3 weeks. RESULTS: The cured-markedly effective rate and total effective rate were 94.2% and 99.2% in the Tuina group and 98.0% and 100.0% in the medication group, respectively, the therapeutic effects were similar in the two groups (both P>0.05); 6 months after treatment, the recurrence rate of 3.8% in the Tuina group was significantly lower than 42.9% in the medication group (P<0.01), and there were no adverse reactions in the whole research process. CONCLUSION: Tuina on ten points for treatment of infants eczema has unequivocal short-term effect, a stable long-term effect, and low recurrence rate.

BACKGROUND:According to data from animal and in vitro studies, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) has a crucial effect on 2 essential parts of the mucosal immune system: IgA production and oral tolerance induction.

OBJECTIVE:We sought to ascertain whether TGF-beta in breast milk is associated with specific IgA production and atopic disease in human subjects.

METHODS:Forty-seven infants with several atopic family members were followed during their first year of life. The concentrations of TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 in maternal colostrum, mature milk, and the infants' sera were determined. The enzyme-linked immunospot assay was used to assess the infants' specific IgA production in response to beta-lactoglobulin, casein, gliadin, and ovalbumin.

RESULTS:At 12 months, atopic dermatitis was confirmed in 29 of 47 infants; in 11, atopic disease had begun during exclusive breast-feeding (preweaning onset), whereas in 18 the disease manifested itself after weaning (postweaning onset). The concentrations of both TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2 were higher in maternal colostrum, but not in mature milk and infants' serum, in infants with postweaning-onset atopic disease compared with those with preweaning-onset disease (P =.0008 and P =. 015, respectively). The concentration of TGF-beta2 was, and that of TGF-beta1 tended to be, higher in the colostrum of mothers whose infants had specific IgA-secreting cells at 3 months in response to at least one of the dietary antigens tested compared with those who did not have such cells (P =.048 and P =.076, respectively).

CONCLUSION:TGF-beta in colostrum may prevent the development of atopic disease during exclusive breast-feeding and promote specific IgA production in human subjects.