Breastmilk Feeding during the First 4 to 6 Months of Age and Childhood Disease Burden until 10 Years of Age

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding is recommended due to its beneficial effects on human health. However, the effect of breastfeeding on health differs, resulting in various childhood diseases. Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the association between breastfeeding at least in the first 4 months and the subsequent development of 15 certainly defined childhood diseases until 10 years of age, the all-cause hospitalization rate and growth at 6–7 years of age. Methods: Participants included propensity-score matched 188,052 children born between January 2008 and December 2009, who were followed up till 10 years of age. Data were taken from the National Investigation of birth Cohort in Korea study 2008 database. Risk ratios were obtained using a modified Poisson regression and weighted risk differences using binomial regression. Results: Compared to formula feeding, breastfeeding was associated with decreased risks of febrile convulsion, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, pneumonia, acute bronchiolitis, hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, asthma, all-cause hospitalization, overweight/obesity and short stature. Exclusive breastfeeding at 4 to 6 months of age had similar results to exclusive breastfeeding over 6 months of age. Conclusions: Breastfeeding in early infancy reduces the risk for various childhood diseases, all-cause hospitalization rate, obesity, and short stature during childhood.

Impact of Oropharyngeal Administration of Colostrum in Preterm Newborns’ Oral Microbiome

“…In this sense, breastfeeding is part of the development of the immune system and colonization of the gastrointestinal tract of newborns, through bacteria present in breast milk. In this context, the importance of breast milk for the health of newborns has already been well documented [36]. However, premature neonates are often unable to be breastfed, as they need to be hospitalized in intensive care units and oral feeding is limited.…”

Association of Breastfeeding for the First Six Months of Life and Autism Spectrum Disorders: A National Multi-Center Study in China

“…In Asian countries, the results were more consistent. A cross-sectional study from the 2008 National Investigation of Birth Cohorts in Korea database (i.e., propensity-score-matched 188,052 children) showed that breastfeeding during the first 4 to 6 months was associated with a decreased risk of ASD compared to formula-feeding [ 31 ]. Similarly, four case-control studies (India [ 19 , 27 ], Indonesia [ 30 ], and Japan [ 12 ]) in Asian countries indicated a shorter duration of breastfeeding was associated with a higher risk of ASD.…”

“…[ 5 , 6 ], and previous studies have identified the role of breastfeeding in neurodevelopment among newborns [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. However, the associations between breastfeeding and ASD have remained unclear ( Table S1 in Supplementary Materials) [ 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Although the latest meta-analyses of 13 studies provided evidence that breastfeeding may protect against ASD [ 32 ], several newly published studies were not included, providing additional information with inconsistent results.…”

“…Although the latest meta-analyses of 13 studies provided evidence that breastfeeding may protect against ASD [ 32 ], several newly published studies were not included, providing additional information with inconsistent results. One cross-sectional study from Korea showed that breastfeeding was associated with higher odds of ASD compared to formula-feeding [ 31 ]. Two case-control studies (the US [ 25 ] and India [ 27 ]) and a birth cohort from Denmark [ 26 ] have indicated that a shorter breastfeeding duration is associated with higher risk of ASD in children.…”

Association of Consuming Tap Water or Purified Water during Infancy with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children

“…The cohort consisted of children whose parents responded to the questionnaire when they were 4 to 6 months old and had recorded birth weights ( Figure 1 ). It has already been reported that breastfeeding in early infancy decreases the risk of irritable bowel syndrome compared to formula-feeding [ 10 ]. As our purpose is to compare the associations between irritable bowel syndrome and consuming tap water or purified water in early infancy, we enrolled only children who consumed formula powder that was prepared with tap water or purified water during the first 4 to 6 months of life.…”