1. ¹Department of Paediatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
2. ²Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
3. ³Department of Applied Chemistry and Microbiology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Correspondence: U Hoppu, University of Turku, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4 A, 5th floor, 20520 Turku, Finland. E-mail: ulla.hoppu@utu.fi

Received 3 February 2004; Revised 24 June 2004; Accepted 16 July 2004; Published online 1 September 2004.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effects of maternal dietary and supplement intake of vitamins C and E on breast milk antioxidant composition (vitamin C, -tocopherol and -carotene) and their protective potential against the development of atopy in the infant.

Design, subjects and methods: Mothers with atopic disease were recruited at the end of gestation and maternal sensitization was assessed by skin-prick testing. The 4-day food records of the mothers and breast milk samples were collected at the infants' age of 1 month. Infants' atopy was defined by the presence of atopic dermatitis during the first year of life and a positive skin-prick test reaction at 12 months of age (n=34).

Results: Maternal intake of vitamin C in diet but not as supplement was shown to determine the concentration of vitamin C in breast milk. A higher concentration of vitamin C in breast milk was associated with a reduced risk of atopy in the infant (OR=0.30; 95% CI 0.09–0.94; P=0.038), whereas -tocopherol had no consistent relationship with atopy. The group at risk of suboptimal vitamin C supply from breast milk was identified as infants whose mothers suffer from food hypersensitivity.

Conclusion: A maternal diet rich in natural sources of vitamin C during breastfeeding could reduce the risk of atopy in high-risk infants.

Sponsorship: The Academy of Finland, the Juho Vainio Foundation and the Finnish Cultural Foundation.