The beneficial effects of breastfeeding on microvascular function in 11-to 14-year-old children

TY - JOUR

T1 - The beneficial effects of breastfeeding on microvascular function in 11-to 14-year-old children

AU - Khan, Faisel

AU - Green, Fiona C.

AU - Forsyth, J. Stewart

AU - Greene, Stephen A.

AU - Newton, David J.

AU - Belch, Jill J. F.

PY - 2009/5

Y1 - 2009/5

N2 - Infant feeding practices have an impact on health in later life, although the evidence for its effects on cardiovascular health is not so clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding in infancy and vascular function in later childhood. Infant feeding data, together with demographic and clinical information, were obtained prospectively from a cohort of children from birth until 2 years of age. Vascular function was assessed in 159 children, now aged 11-14 years, by measuring their skin microvascular responses to iontophoretic administration of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine. Endothelial function was significantly better in children who had been breastfed than in those who had received infant milk formula (p = 0.001), after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Linear regression showed that acetylcholine responses were significantly related to the duration of breastfeeding (r = 0.30, p = 0.006). The risk of later cardiovascular disease may be reduced by exclusively breastfeeding during infancy. These findings have potential public health implications, and support policies aimed at promoting breastfeeding.

AB - Infant feeding practices have an impact on health in later life, although the evidence for its effects on cardiovascular health is not so clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between breastfeeding in infancy and vascular function in later childhood. Infant feeding data, together with demographic and clinical information, were obtained prospectively from a cohort of children from birth until 2 years of age. Vascular function was assessed in 159 children, now aged 11-14 years, by measuring their skin microvascular responses to iontophoretic administration of the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine. Endothelial function was significantly better in children who had been breastfed than in those who had received infant milk formula (p = 0.001), after adjustment for potential confounding factors. Linear regression showed that acetylcholine responses were significantly related to the duration of breastfeeding (r = 0.30, p = 0.006). The risk of later cardiovascular disease may be reduced by exclusively breastfeeding during infancy. These findings have potential public health implications, and support policies aimed at promoting breastfeeding.

KW - breastfeeding

KW - cardiovascular disease

KW - children

KW - endothelium

KW - infancy

KW - nutrition

KW - public health

KW - FATTY-ACID SUPPLEMENTATION

KW - ADOLESCENTS BORN PRETERM

KW - BLOOD-PRESSURE

KW - ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION

KW - FOLLOW-UP

KW - INSULIN-RESISTANCE

KW - HEART-DISEASE

KW - BIRTH-WEIGHT

KW - EARLY GROWTH

KW - CHILDHOOD

U2 - 10.1177/1358863X08099706

DO - 10.1177/1358863X08099706

M3 - Article

SN - 1358-863X

VL - 14

SP - 137

EP - 142

JO - Vascular Medicine

JF - Vascular Medicine

IS - 2

ER -