A recent review (JPGN 2013; 57: 543-49) provides information about the relationship between neonatal environment and subsequent inflammatory gastrointestinal disease.

While most of the review, focuses on physiology and pathophysiology, the most interesting part is the assertions (with references) in Table 1 which include the following:

• Breastfeeding reduces risk of IBD
• Cesarean section increases the risk of celiac disease, cow’s milk allergy, and other IgE-mediated food allergies
• Many chronic adult diseases have been shown to have origins in neonatal life, particularly cardiovascular disease/metabolic syndrome

Related Posts:

• Breastfed babies less likely to develop fatty liver
• More evidence that breastfeeding improves cognitive development
• Breastfeeding: protection from asthma | gutsandgrowth
• Why are we seeing so many more cases | gutsandgrowth