Association between breastfeeding and pediatric food allergy in Aswan University Hospital

Background: The role of breastfeeding in preventing food allergies remains a topic of debate within the medical community. Some studies suggest a protective role, while others find no significant effect or even a potential exacerbation under certain conditions. Objective: To clarify the relationship between breastfeeding and food allergies in children attending the gastroenterology clinic at Aswan University Hospital.Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study included 300 children below 15 years of age who visited the clinic from September 2023 to September 2024. Data were collected on demographics, clinical presentations suggestive of food allergy, maternal breastfeeding history. Diagnosis was confirmed via skin prick tests (SPT), prick-prick tests (PPT), serum IgE levels, elimination diets, and oral food challenges.Results: Among the 300 children studied, 150 (50%) were diagnosed with food allergies ;61 (40.6%) diagnosed Ig E-mediated food allergy and 89 (59.3%) diagnosed Non-Ig E-mediated food allergy, The most common complains in the enrolled patients were runny nose followed by diarrhea and bloody stool, in 91 (60.7%), 76 (51.0%) and 76 (51.0%) patients respectively. And there was no statistically significant correlation between Breast Feeding and all types of food allergyConclusion: The present study found no correlation between breast feeding and food allergy.