PREVENTION OF ATOPIC DISEASE - WHAT IS THE ROLE OF NUTRITION

For more than 50 years there has been a controversy about a protective effect of exclusive breast-feeding against atopic disease. The question has not been easy to answer, because the etiology and the course of the disease is influenced by a number of factors besides breast-feeding and genetics. Additional confounding factors must be taken into account as there are: maternal diet, exposure to solid foods, inhalant allergens especially smoking, peri- and postnatal stress factors, and infection. The actual state of research concerning early preventive measures is critically reviewed.