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01-02-2019

Association Between Breastfeeding and Childhood Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

Authors: Amna Umer, Candice Hamilton, Roger A. Edwards, Lesley Cottrell, Peter Giacobbi Jr., Kim Innes, Collin John, George A. Kelley, William Neal, Christa Lilly

Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal | Issue 2/2019

Abstract

Introduction The immediate benefits of breastfeeding are well-established but the long-term health benefits are less well-known. West Virginia (WV) has a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and lower breastfeeding rates compared to national averages. There is a paucity of research examining the relationship between breastfeeding and subsequent childhood CVD risk factors, an issue of particular relevance in WV. Methods This study used longitudinally linked data from three cross-sectional datasets in WV (N = 11,980). The information on breastfeeding was obtained retrospectively via parental recall when the child was in the fifth grade. The outcome variables included blood pressure measures [systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP)] and lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), non-HDL, and triglycerides (TG)]. Multiple regression analyses were performed, adjusting for childhood body mass index (BMI) and additional covariates. Results Only 43% of mothers self-reported ever breastfeeding. The unadjusted analysis showed that children who were ever vs. never breastfed had significantly lower SBP (b = − 1.39 mmHg; 95% CI − 1.97, − 0.81), DBP (b = − 0.79 mmHg; 95% CI − 1.26, − 0.33), log-TG (b = − 0.08; 95% CI − 0.1, − 0.05), and higher HDL (b = 0.95 mg/dL; 95% CI 0.33, 1.56). After adjustment for the child’s BMI, socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, log-TG remained significantly associated with breastfeeding (b = − 0.04; 95% CI − 0.06, − 0.01; p = 0.01). Conclusion The observed protective effect of any breastfeeding on childhood TG level was small but significant. This finding provides some support for a protective effect of breastfeeding on later CVD risk.

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Title: Association Between Breastfeeding and Childhood Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
Authors: Amna Umer
Candice Hamilton
Roger A. Edwards
Lesley Cottrell
Peter Giacobbi Jr.
Kim Innes
Collin John
George A. Kelley
William Neal
Christa Lilly
Publication date: 01-02-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Maternal and Child Health Journal / Issue 2/2019
Print ISSN: 1092-7875
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6628
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-018-2641-8

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Association Between Breastfeeding and Childhood Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors

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