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Published on: April 29, 2013
P-Wave Axis of Schoolchildren Who Were Once Breastfed
Juan-Antonio Costa1, Carla Rodriguez-Trabal2, Ignacio Pareja3
1Department of Paediatrics, Ca'n Misses District Hospital, Corona Street, 07800 Eivissa, Spain.
Insights
Breastfeeding influences children's heart development. Never-breastfed children showed a more vertical P-wave axis on electrocardiograms (ECGs) compared to breastfed children, suggesting potential cardiovascular differences.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Breastfeeding is linked to reduced risks of asthma, infections, and metabolic syndrome in children.
- Emerging evidence suggests breast milk impacts the development of children's heart and lung structures.
- Previous research indicates long-term health benefits associated with breastfeeding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differences in electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics between breastfed and never-breastfed schoolchildren.
- To explore the potential impact of breastfeeding on cardiac electrical activity in children.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study involving 138 children aged 6 or 12.
- Inclusion criteria included reproducible ECGs, anthropometric measurements, and available breastfeeding history.
- Data were collected from children presenting at a well-child clinic.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in the mean P-wave axis was observed between never-breastfed and ever-breastfed children.
- 76% of never-breastfed children had a more vertical P-wave axis compared to 58% of ever-breastfed children (OR: 2.25).
- No other significant differences in somatometric characteristics or ECG parameters were found between feeding groups.
Conclusions:
- The study identified a distinct difference in P-wave axis based on infant feeding history.
- These findings warrant cautious interpretation but contribute to understanding breastfeeding's role in cardiovascular development.
- Further research may inform interventions to enhance cardiovascular health in children.
Background:
It has been known for decades that breastfeeding leads to a lower risk of asthma, respiratory infections, or metabolic syndrome at school age. In addition, evidence is now accumulating on the influence of breast milk on the shape, volume, or function of the heart and lungs. Within this field of research into the effects of breast milk on the structure of the heart and lungs, we have set out to analyze the differential electrocardiographic characteristics of schoolchildren who were once breastfed.
Method:
This was an observational cross-sectional study, including 138 children aged 6 or 12 consecutively presenting to a well-child clinic between May and December 2022.
Inclusion Criteria:
The ability to perform reproducible ECG records, the feasibility of weighing and measuring patient, and breastfeeding data collected from birth were used as the inclusion criteria.
Results:
Using the 40° cut-off value for the mean P-wave axis among schoolchildren, 76% of never-breastfed children in our sample have a P-wave axis in a more vertical position than the mean as compared to 58% of ever-breastfed children (OR: 2.25; 95% CI: 3.13-1.36); there was no other significant difference between infant feeding groups in somatometric characteristics or ECG parameters.
Conclusion:
We found a significant difference of the mean values of the P-wave axis between never- and ever-breastfed children. Although this report should be approached cautiously, these findings add to the renewed interest in discerning developmental interventions to improve cardiovascular health.
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