Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

6103

Date

2017

Document Type

Thesis (Access Restricted)

Degree Name

Master of Public Health

Major

Public Health

Concentration

Epidemiology

Committee Chair

Wilfried Karmaus

Committee Member

Yu Jiang

Committee Member

Hongmei Zhang

Abstract

Hay fever or respiratory allergy starts to be present in the early childhood and is related to immunoglobulin E (IgE)- mediated reactions to various allergens in the nasal mucosa. The purpose of this study is, in children up to 6 years, to investigate various infant feeding patterns in the first 6 months of life as risk factors of hay fever or respiratory allergy compared to direct breastfeeding for at least 3 months. The Infant Feeding Practice Study II was conducted between 2005 and 2007 and its 6- year follow up was done in the year 2012, provided data on feeding modes in infancy and, based on parental reports, doctor diagnosed hay fever in the first six year of life (n=1,387). Log-linear models were used to estimate the prevalence ratios (PRs) of hay fever in the first 6 years of life for different infant feeding patterns adjusting for confounders. Compared to direct breastfeeding for at least 3 months (BF3m), the combination of direct breastfeeding (BF), pumping and feeding (P&F) of stored breast milk, and formula feeding (FF) since birth (BF/P&F/FF) showed a statistical significant higher risk of hay fever/respiratory allergy in the first 6 years of life (PR=1.81 CI: 1.11, 2.91). In addition, formula feeding for the first 2-3 months followed by a combination of formula and solid food (FF2-3) was also related to a higher risk of hay fever (PR=1.66 CI: 1.01, 2.64). Among the confounders, both maternal and paternal history of hay fever was associated with hay fever/respiratory allergy.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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