Link Between Breastfeeding and Asthma Risk in Infants

The risk of developing asthma may increase depending on the duration of breastfeeding, according to a recent study published by Dr. Liat Shenhav of the Grossman University research group at New York University.

Research has shown that breastfeeding a baby for more than three months can reduce the risk of developing asthma through the gradual development of digestive and nasal microorganisms.

Study Findings

A study comparing changes in gut and nasal microbes during the first year of life among 3,500 children participating in the “CHILD Cohort Study,” a prospective birth cohort study, found that if breastfeeding was stopped before 3 months of age and only formula was fed, the components of the formula were retained in the gut. Bacteria that aid in digestion thrive, which increases the risk of developing asthma.

Previous research has shown that the essential amino acid tryptophan and its metabolites are linked to immune system regulation and breakdown, and that infants who stopped breastfeeding early and were formula-fed had short-chain fatty acids in their gut earlier than infants who continued to breastfeed. Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus) was found to be involved in the production, formation, and breakdown of tryptophan.

Role of Breast Milk in Microorganism Colonization

Specific bacteria are needed to break down components of breast milk, such as complex human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and just as a pacemaker regulates the heartbeat, breast milk can timely regulate the colonization of microorganisms in the infant’s gut and nose, explained Dr. Liat Shenhav.

Regardless of environmental factors such as prenatal smoking, antibiotic exposure, or a mother’s history of asthma, differences in the composition of gut microorganisms were found depending on the timing of breastfeeding. The study developed a machine learning model capable of predicting these differences.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of breastfeeding in shaping the infant’s gut microbiome and reducing the risk of developing asthma. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between breastfeeding and asthma risk.