Fish may lower chance of baby eczema - 20 September 2008
Fish could reduce excema in babies
The study, which involved 17,000 infants, showed that those who had been fed fish before the age of nine months were 25% less likely to have eczema.
The scientists suggested that this could be down to the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in some fish. However, this may not be the reason, as even children fed white fish appeared to have a reduced rate of eczema.
They also searched for links with other dietary and lifestyle factors, such as breast-feeding and the introduction of dairy products, but did not find any reduction in eczema rates.
Their main finding, however, was that genetics has the largest part to play in determining whether a child develops eczema. The study showed that having a sibling or a mother with eczema saw babies’ chances of getting eczema double.
The National Eczema Society backed the scientists’ findings on the importance that genetics had to play. It also urged parents of children with a high chance of developing eczema to avoid using harsh skin care products and instead choose detergent-free products.
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