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Effect of breastfeeding duration on lung function, respiratory symptoms and allergic diseases in school-age children

Olga Gorlanova1,2, Rhea Appenzeller1,2, Yasmin S Mahmoud1,2

  • 1Pediatric Pulmonology, University Children's Hospital (UKBB), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Pediatric Pulmonology
|March 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

This study found no link between breastfeeding duration and lung function in healthy children. Breastfeeding did not impact respiratory symptoms or allergic conditions by age six.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Health
  • Respiratory Medicine
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Previous studies suggest breastfeeding benefits lung function in children with asthma risk.
  • This research investigates breastfeeding's impact in a general healthy population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between breastfeeding duration and lung function at age 6.
  • To examine the relationship between breastfeeding and respiratory symptoms and allergic conditions in healthy children.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 377 healthy infants from birth to 6 years (Bern-Basel Infant Lung Development cohort).
  • Breastfeeding duration assessed via weekly phone calls; risk factors collected via questionnaires.
  • Lung function measured by spirometry and body plethysmography; fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and respiratory symptoms/allergic conditions also assessed.

Main Results:

  • Mean breastfeeding duration was 36 weeks.
  • No association found between breastfeeding duration and lung function parameters (e.g., FEV1, FRC, TLC, Reff) or FeNO.
  • Adjusted analyses revealed no link between breastfeeding duration and respiratory symptoms or allergic conditions.

Conclusions:

  • This study found no evidence that breastfeeding duration directly impacts lung function in healthy children.
  • Findings do not support a direct effect of breastfeeding on lung function in a low-risk, healthy population.
Abstract

Keywords:
allergic diseasebreastfeedinglung functionschool-age children

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