Associations of breastfeeding with childhood autoimmunity, allergies, and overweight: The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Sandra Hummel - (Author)
  • Andreas Weiss - (Author)
  • Ezio Bonifacio - , Chair of Preclinical stem cell therapy and diabetes, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (Author)
  • Daniel Agardh - (Author)
  • Beena Akolkar - (Author)
  • Carin A. Aronsson - (Author)
  • William A. Hagopian - (Author)
  • Sibylle Koletzko - (Author)
  • Jeffrey P. Krischer - (Author)
  • Ake Lernmark - (Author)
  • Kristian Lynch - (Author)
  • Jill M. Norris - (Author)
  • Marian J. Rewers - (Author)
  • Jin-Xiong She - (Author)
  • Jorma Toppari - (Author)
  • Ulla Uusitalo - (Author)
  • Kendra Vehik - (Author)
  • Suvi M. Virtanen - (Author)
  • Andreas Beyerlein - (Author)
  • Anette-G Ziegler - (Author)

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding has beneficial effects on numerous health outcomes. Objectives: We investigated whether breastfeeding duration is associated with the development of early childhood autoimmunity, allergies, or obesity in a multinational prospective birth cohort. Methods: Infants with genetic susceptibility for type 1 diabetes (n = 8676) were followed for the development of autoantibodies to islet autoantigens or transglutaminase, allergies, and for anthropometric measurements to a median age of 8.3 y (IQR: 2.8-10.2 y). Information on breastfeeding was collected at 3 mo of age and prospectively thereafter. A propensity score for longer breastfeeding was calculated from the variables that were likely to influence any or exclusive breastfeeding. The risks of developing autoimmunity or allergy were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, and the risk of obesity at 5.5 y of age was assessed using logistic regression with adjustment by the propensity score. Results: Breastfeeding duration was not associated with a lower risk of either islet or transglutaminase autoimmunity (any breastfeeding >6 mo, adjusted HR: 1.07; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.19; exclusive breastfeeding >3 mo, adjusted HR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.15). Exclusive breastfeeding >3 mo was associated with a decreased risk of seasonal allergic rhinitis (adjusted HR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.53, 0.92; P < 0.01). Any breastfeeding >6 mo and exclusive breastfeeding >3 mo were associated with decreased risk of obesity (adjusted OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.81; P < 0.001; and adjusted OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.47, 0.95; P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Longer breastfeeding was not associated with a lower risk of childhood (islet or transglutaminase) autoimmunity in genetically at-risk children but was associated with decreased risk of seasonal allergic rhinitis and obesity at 5.5 y of age.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)134-142
Number of pages9
JournalThe American journal of clinical nutrition : a publication of the American Society for Nutrition, Inc.
Volume114
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85110689736
ORCID /0000-0002-8704-4713/work/141544286

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • breastfeeding, islet autoimmunity, celiac disease, obesity, allergic disease

Library keywords