Breastfeeding Reduces Chronic Inflammation Risk in Children

Young adults who breastfed for three months or more as babies are less likely to suffer from chronic inflammation linked with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Breastfeeding is known to boost the health of both the mother and baby. Breast milk is full of antibodies that protect the baby against several illnesses. It is an ideal food for the infant. The new study adds to the benefits of breastfeeding. The researchers at the Brown School at Washington University, St. Louis, found that birth weight and breastfeeding have implications for children's health later in life.

The finding was based on the evaluation of the data retrieved from the U.S. National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health including parent surveys and blood samples that provided measurement of CRP.

"Specifically, we are looking at the effects of these early factors on later levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker associated with risk for cardiovascular and metabolic disease," said Molly W. Metzger, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School. "Comparing the long-term effects of breastfeeding to the effects of clinical trials of statin therapy, we find breastfeeding to exert effects that are as large or larger."

The study included several siblings, in which one sibling was breastfed and the other was not. These sibling models provide improved confidence in results by regulating genetic factors for elevated CRP.

The finding highlights the importance of preventive approach that includes prenatal health and postnatal breastfeeding support. The less prenatal care was received by women less insured than the on insured women.

"So here in Missouri and elsewhere, expanding Medicaid eligibility would be one clear step in the right direction," Metzger said.

The study was published in June in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences.