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Breastfeeding and asthma in young children: findings from a population-based study
1Division of Respiratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada.
Insights
Longer breastfeeding durations are linked to reduced asthma and wheeze risk in Canadian children. Public health initiatives should promote increased breastfeeding initiation and duration for better child respiratory health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Asthma is a significant respiratory condition in young children.
- Breastfeeding is recognized for its numerous health benefits, but its specific role in asthma prevention requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the duration of breastfeeding and the incidence of asthma and wheeze in Canadian children.
Main Methods:
- Utilized baseline data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth.
- Included 331,100 children (aged 12-24 months) with parental reports on breastfeeding and asthma.
- Employed logistic regression analysis, adjusting for potential confounders like smoking and maternal education.
Main Results:
- A breastfeeding duration of 9 months or less was identified as a risk factor for asthma (OR, 2.39) and wheeze (OR, 1.54).
- A dose-response relationship was observed, indicating that longer breastfeeding duration correlated with lower asthma and wheeze risk.
- The prevalence of asthma was 6.3% and wheeze was 23.9% in the study population.
Conclusions:
- Extended breastfeeding duration demonstrates a protective effect against the development of asthma and wheeze in young children.
- Findings support increased public health efforts to promote breastfeeding initiation and duration.
Objective:
To evaluate the association between breastfeeding and asthma in young Canadian children.
Methods:
Baseline data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (a population-based study of child health and well-being) were used. A weighted sample of 331 100 (unweighted n = 2184) children between the ages of 12 and 24 months, whose biological mother reported data on breastfeeding and asthma, were included. Outcomes included parental report of physician-diagnosed asthma and wheeze in the previous year. Breastfeeding was categorized by duration as follows: less than 2 months, 2 to 6 months, 7 to 9 months, and longer than 9 months. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with breastfeeding duration dichotomized at various cutoffs. Important potential confounders were considered in the adjusted analyses. Published statistical methods appropriate for the sampling strategy were used.
Results:
The prevalence of asthma was 6.3%; and wheeze, 23.9%. Almost half of the children (44.0%) were breastfed for less than 2 months. After adjustment for smoking, low birth weight, low maternal education, and sex, a duration of breastfeeding for 9 months or less was found to be a risk factor for asthma (odds ratio, 2.39; 99% confidence interval, 0.95-6.03) and wheeze (odds ratio, 1.54; 99% confidence interval, 1.04-2.29). A dose-response effect was observed with breastfeeding duration.
Conclusions:
A longer duration of breastfeeding appears to be protective against the development of asthma and wheeze in young children. More public health efforts should be directed toward increasing the initiation and duration of breastfeeding.