Breastfeeding and snoring: a birth cohort study
Bronwyn K Brew1, Guy B Marks1, Catarina Almqvist2
1Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia ; The University of Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Plos One
|January 14, 2014
Summary
Breastfeeding for over one month significantly reduces the risk of habitual snoring and sleep apnea in children with a family history of asthma. This finding suggests a protective effect on upper airway development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Sleep Medicine
- Respiratory Health
Background:
- Childhood sleep-disordered breathing, including snoring and sleep apnea, is a growing concern.
- The impact of infant feeding practices on long-term respiratory health is not fully understood.
- Asthma and allergies are common in children and may influence sleep patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between breastfeeding and the occurrence of habitual snoring and witnessed sleep apnea in children.
- To investigate if breastfeeding duration influences the risk of developing sleep-disordered breathing.
- To explore potential mediating factors such as BMI, asthma, atopy, and rhinitis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of children with a family history of asthma, recruited antenatally.
- Infant feeding practices were recorded during the first year of life.
- Snoring and witnessed sleep apnea were assessed at age 8 years using parent-completed questionnaires and analyzed with logistic regression.
Main Results:
- 18.8% of children reported habitual snoring, and 2.7% experienced witnessed apnea.
- Breastfeeding for over one month was associated with a reduced risk of habitual snoring (adjusted OR 0.48) and witnessed sleep apnea (adjusted OR 0.17).
- Longer breastfeeding duration showed an inverse association with habitual snoring prevalence (adjusted OR 0.79).
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding for more than one month offers protection against habitual snoring and witnessed sleep apnea in children with a family history of asthma.
- The protective effect is not explained by BMI, current asthma, atopy, or rhinitis.
- Potential mechanisms may involve improved oropharyngeal development due to breastfeeding, leading to reduced upper airway dysfunction.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:21Sleep Apnea
914
Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing stops intermittently during sleep, often leading to significant health issues. Each episode can last from 10 to 20 seconds or more and is frequently accompanied by a brief arousal from sleep. This disturbance, largely unnoticed by the individual, can lead to severe daytime fatigue. Commonly, individuals seek help after being informed by their partners about loud snoring and noticeable breathing pauses during sleep.
The condition is more prevalent among...
The condition is more prevalent among...
914
01:28Development of the Oral Microbiota
65
The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
65
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
610
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
610
01:29Suctioning the Nasopharyngeal Airway
6.5K
Nasopharyngeal suctioning is a procedure to remove secretions from the upper part of the respiratory tract that the patient cannot clear independently. It helps maintain airway patency and prevents complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Equipment Required
Equipment Required
6.5K
00:55Parental Care
11.7K
Many animals exhibit parental care behavior, including feeding, grooming, and protecting young offspring. Parental care is universal in mammals and birds, which often have young that are born relatively helpless. Several species of insects and fish, as well as some amphibians, also care for their young.
11.7K
01:30Development of Human Microbiota
61
The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
61