Several studies have shown that breastfeeding has a protective effect on the risk of autism spectrum disorder and is associated with improved cognitive development later in childhood and adolescence.
Objectives:
To evaluate the association between suboptimal breastfeeding practices and autism spectrum disorders.
Methods:
A case-control study was conducted among 102 ASD cases and 102 controls.
Results:
Adjusted odds ratios (OR) from logistic regression models, ASD was found to be associated with late initiation of breastfeeding (OR = 1.48; 95% CI 1.01, 3.1), non-intake of colostrum (OR = 1.7; 95% CI 1.03, 4.3), prelacteal feeding, and bottle feeding. The risk of ASD was found to decrease in a dose-response fashion over increasing periods of exclusive breastfeeding (trend p value = 0.04) and continued breastfeeding (trend p value = 0.001).
Conclusions:
This study indicates that increased autism spectrum disorder risk is generally associated with suboptimal breastfeeding practices.
See more of: Epidemiology
See more of: Prevalence, Risk factors & Intervention