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Open Access 01-03-2021 | Original Contribution

Breast milk n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and blood pressure: an individual participant meta-analysis

Authors: Lenie van Rossem, Henriette A. Smit, Martine Armand, Jonathan Y. Bernard, Hans Bisgaard, Klaus Bønnelykke, Signe Bruun, Barbara Heude, Steffen Husby, Henriette B. Kyhl, Kim F. Michaelsen, Ken D. Stark, Carel Thijs, Rebecca K. Vinding, Alet H. Wijga, Lotte Lauritzen

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 2/2021

Abstract

Purpose

It is controversial whether a higher intake of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC PUFA) through breastfeeding is associated or not to a lower blood pressure (BP) during childhood. We aimed to clarify this point by undertaking a meta-analysis involving the data from seven European birth cohorts.

Methods

We searched https://www.birthcohort.net for studies that had collected breast milk samples, and had at least one BP measurement in childhood. Principal investigators were contacted, and all agreed to share data. One additional study was identified by contacts with the principal investigators. For each cohort, we analyzed the association of breast milk n-3 LC PUFAs with systolic and diastolic BP with linear mixed effects models or linear regression, and pooled the estimates with a random effects model. We also investigated age-specific and sex-specific associations.

Results

A total of 2188 participants from 7 cohorts were included. Overall, no associations between breast milk n-3 LC PUFAs and BP were observed. In the pooled analysis, each 0.1 wt% increment in breast milk docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) was associated with a 1.19 (95% CI − 3.31, 0.94) mmHg lower systolic BP. Associations were similar for boys and girls and at different ages.

Conclusion

In this individual participant meta-analysis, we found no evidence for an association between breast milk n-3 LC PUFAs and BP.

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Title: Breast milk n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and blood pressure: an individual participant meta-analysis
Authors: Lenie van Rossem
Henriette A. Smit
Martine Armand
Jonathan Y. Bernard
Hans Bisgaard
Klaus Bønnelykke
Signe Bruun
Barbara Heude
Steffen Husby
Henriette B. Kyhl
Kim F. Michaelsen
Ken D. Stark
Carel Thijs
Rebecca K. Vinding
Alet H. Wijga
Lotte Lauritzen
Publication date: 01-03-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 2/2021
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-020-02310-4

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Breast milk n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and blood pressure: an individual participant meta-analysis

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Conclusion

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