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Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate: A Physics-Driven Characterization in a Medical Context
Published on: March 24, 2023
Infant feeding patterns and midlife erythrocyte sedimentation rate
Ingibjorg Gunnarsdottir1, Thor Aspelund, Bryndis E Birgisdottir
1Unit for Nutrition Research, Landspitali-University Hospital & Department of Food Science, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. ingigun@landspitali.is
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|June 1, 2007
Summary
Infant feeding method impacts adult health. Bottle-feeding in infancy was linked to higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor, suggesting breast milk
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Infant feeding practices, specifically breastfeeding versus bottle-feeding, are critical determinants of early life development.
- Long-term health outcomes associated with infant feeding methods require further investigation.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) is a marker of inflammation and a potential risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between infant feeding type (breast milk vs. bottle-feeding) and adult coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.
- To assess erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and other CHD risk indicators in relation to early life feeding patterns.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study of 3614 adults born between 1914 and 1935.
- Infant feeding data was obtained from original midwife's birth records.
- Adult measurements included ESR, triglycerides, total cholesterol, blood pressure, fasting glucose, BMI, and height.
Main Results:
- Bottle-fed infants (5.2%) showed a 15.9% higher geometric mean ESR in adulthood compared to breastfed individuals (p=0.026).
- Breastfed individuals exhibited a 2.9% higher adult Body Mass Index (BMI) (p=0.012).
- The hazard ratio for CHD events in bottle-fed versus breastfed individuals was 1.18 (95% CI 0.88-1.57).
Conclusions:
- Higher adult ESR in bottle-fed individuals suggests a potential long-term anti-inflammatory effect of breast milk.
- Infant feeding practices may have lasting implications for cardiovascular health.
- Breastfeeding may confer protective benefits against inflammation and associated chronic diseases.