International Meeting for Autism Research: Effect of Suboptimal Breastfeeding on Occurrence of Autism: A Case Control Study

Effect of Suboptimal Breastfeeding on Occurrence of Autism: A Case Control Study

Thursday, May 12, 2011
Elizabeth Ballroom E-F and Lirenta Foyer Level 2 (Manchester Grand Hyatt)
2:00 PM
Y. Alfarsi, M. M. Al-Sharbati, M. I. Waly, O. A. Al-Farsi, M. Al-Shafaee and M. M. Al-Khaduri, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Background:

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.

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