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Not breastfeeding and risk of autism spectrum disorders among children: a meta-analysis
Ensiyeh Jenabi1, Saeid Bashirian2, Amir Mohammad Salehi3
1Mother and Child Care Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Background:
To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis of the association of not breastfeeding and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) based on observational studies.
Purpose:
This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate of the association of not breastfeeding and the risk of ASD.
Methods:
Three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus) were systematically searched until December 2021. Heterogeneity was determined using the chi-square test and its quantity was measured using the I2 statistic. The Begg line regression test was used to assess publication bias. A random-effects model was used to analyze the data. Seven studies were included in this meta-analysis.
Results:
The total study population included 3,270 individuals. According to the random-effects model, the estimated odds ratio of the risk of ASD associated with not breastfeeding was 1.81 (95% confidence interval, 1.35-2.27; I2=0%).
Conclusion:
The results of the included studies were homogeneous. Our findings showed that not breastfeeding is a risk factor for ASD. These results suggest the importance of breastfeeding in decreasing the risk of ASD in children.
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