Protective effect of breastfeeding on recurrent cough in adulthood

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
• Epidemiology
• Public Health Nutrition

Background:

• Breastfeeding is known to protect infants from early respiratory infections.
• The long-term impact of breastfeeding on adult respiratory health, specifically recurrent cough, is not well-established.
• Understanding these long-term effects is crucial for public health recommendations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between infant breastfeeding duration and the risk of developing recurrent cough in adulthood.
• To determine if breastfeeding provides lasting protective effects on respiratory health into adult life.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study (Tucson Children's Respiratory Study) of 786 participants.
• Infant feeding categorized by duration: <1 month, 1 to <4 months, and ≥4 months of exclusive breastfeeding.
• Recurrent cough defined as ≥2 episodes lasting ≥1 week without a cold, assessed at ages 22, 26, and 32 years.
• Statistical analysis adjusted for potential confounders including sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, and parental factors.

Main Results:

• 31% of participants exclusively breastfed for ≥4 months.
• The prevalence of recurrent cough in adulthood was 17% at age 22, 15% at age 26, and 16% at age 32.
• Each increase in breastfeeding duration category was associated with a significantly decreased risk of adult recurrent cough (adjusted OR=0.71, p=0.004).
• This association remained significant after adjusting for adult asthma, wheeze, smoking, and lung function.

Conclusions:

• Longer duration of breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of recurrent cough in adult life.
• These findings suggest a long-term protective effect of breastfeeding on respiratory health.
• The protective effect appears independent of adult smoking status and other respiratory symptoms.