Effect of breastfeeding on cardiometabolic risk in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

This study investigated whether breastfeeding (BF) is associated with a reduction in persistent hypertension (PH) and glucose metabolism impairment in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who experienced pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and/or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

This secondary observational analysis utilized data from two prospective cohort studies involving 241 participants (101 PCOS patients; 140 controls) with a history of GDM and/or PIH. At 18 months post-delivery, patients underwent physical examinations, blood pressure monitoring, and biochemical assays, including oral glucose tolerance tests. Feeding practices were categorized as exclusive BF, partial BF, or formula feeding (FF).

Patients with PCOS demonstrated significantly shorter BF durations (9.6 ± 7.0 vs. 12.6 ± 5.9 months; P < 0.001) and lower exclusive BF rates (39.6% vs. 62.9%; P < 0.001) compared to controls. At 18 months, the composite cardiometabolic outcome prevalence was 55.4% in the PCOS group versus 11.4% in controls (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified exclusive BF as a potent independent factor associated with a significantly lower risk (adjusted OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.05-0.38; P < 0.001) of cardiometabolic impairment.

Breastfeeding is associated with a significant reduction in long-term cardiometabolic risks in women with PCOS following complicated pregnancies. Supporting and optimizing lactation may represent a valuable non-pharmacological strategy to consider for this high-risk population.