(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Fish is often a forbidden food when it comes to infants because of its allergenic properties; but now, experts say a diet that includes fish may protect babies from developing a common skin condition.

Swedish researchers say infants who are fed fish before they are nine months old have a lower risk of developing eczema. According to study authors, in recent decades the incidence of atopic eczema has risen dramatically in developed countries; an increase that is often attributed to dietary and environmental factors.

 

As part of an ongoing health study, Infants of Western Sweden, researchers asked parents of six month olds questions about their child’s diet and whether they had any indication of eczema. When the child reached one year of age, they asked them the questions again. During their first year of life, one out of five infants suffered from eczema. Results revealed babies fed fish before they reached nine months had a 25 percent lower risk of eczema. They also say heredity plays a role: children whose mother or sibling had the skin condition had almost a two times greater change of developing eczema by the time they were one year old.

SOURCE: Archives of Disease in Childhood, doi:10.1136/adc.2008.140418