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Breastfeeding in early life and bone mass in prepubertal children: a longitudinal study

G Jones1, M Riley, T Dwyer

  • 1Menzies Centre for Population Health Research, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. g.jones@utas.edu.au

Osteoporosis International : a Journal Established As Result of Cooperation Between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA
|May 4, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding in early life is linked to higher bone mineral density in 8-year-old children born at term. Longer breastfeeding duration (≥3 months) showed significant benefits for bone mass, suggesting early intervention for osteoporosis prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Bone Health
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Early life nutrition significantly influences long-term health outcomes.
  • Bone mass accrual during childhood is a critical determinant of skeletal health in adulthood.
  • Understanding factors affecting bone development is essential for preventing osteoporosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between breastfeeding and bone mineral density in prepubertal children.
  • To determine if breastfeeding duration impacts bone mass in early childhood.
  • To explore the relationship between breastfeeding and bone density in term vs. preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 330 eight-year-old children from Southern Tasmania was studied.
  • Breastfeeding habits were assessed retrospectively.
  • Bone mineral density was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Main Results:

  • Children who were breastfed exhibited higher bone mineral density at the femoral neck, lumbar spine, and total body compared to bottle-fed children.
  • The positive association between breastfeeding and bone mass was significant in children born at term, but not in preterm infants.
  • Breastfeeding for less than three months was not associated with increased bone mass.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding, particularly for three months or longer, is associated with enhanced bone mass in term-born prepubertal children.
  • The findings suggest a potential biological mechanism linking breastfeeding to improved bone development.
  • These results highlight the importance of early-life interventions for osteoporosis prevention, potentially starting from infancy.

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