Newswise — The Clinical & Experimental Allergy journal published a review shedding light on a concerning association between the infant formula industry and healthcare professionals specializing in allergy health. The authors of the review express their apprehension regarding the potential negative impact on breastfeeding practices in countries like India. They point out that allergy management practices in such countries are often derived from recommendations formulated in high-income nations where breastfeeding rates are comparatively low.
Authored by international experts in infant nutrition and allergy health, the article brings attention to the remarkable rate of breastfeeding in India, a country where a quarter of the world's children are born. Additionally, the article highlights a mounting body of evidence suggesting that excessive preoccupation with infant allergies in high-income countries is adversely affecting crucial aspects such as mother-infant bonding, breastfeeding, and child nutrition.
Given the incomplete availability of specific data regarding allergic disease prevalence in India and the relatively recent emergence of allergy specialists as a distinct category of healthcare professionals in the country, it becomes crucial for clinicians to steer clear of any conflicts of interest with the infant formula industry. The authors of the article emphasize the significance of this matter, emphasizing that as the field of allergy specialization progresses in India, local guidelines and practices must acknowledge the potential risks posed by existing allergy management approaches to the traditional infant feeding culture in the country. They stress the importance of ensuring continued support for breastfeeding at all levels of healthcare.
URL upon publication: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cea.14355
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