Effect of breast feeding in infancy on blood pressure in later life: systematic review and meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether breast feeding in infancy compared with bottle feeding formula milk is associated with lower mean blood pressure at different ages.


METHODS
Systematic review.


METHODS
Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases.


METHODS
Studies showing the effects of feeding in infancy on blood pressure at different ages.


METHODS
Pooled mean differences in blood pressure between breast fed infants and those bottle fed formula milk, based on random effects models.


RESULTS
The pooled mean difference in systolic blood pressure was -1.10 mm Hg (95% confidence interval -1.79 to -0.42 mm Hg) but with significant heterogeneity between estimates (P < 0.001). The difference was largest in studies of < 300 participants (-2.05 mm Hg, -3.30 to -0.80 mm Hg), intermediate in studies of 300-1000 participants (1.13 mm Hg, -2.53 to 0.27 mm Hg), and smallest in studies of > 1000 participants (-0.16 mm Hg, -0.60 to 0.28 mm Hg). An Egger test but not Begg test was statistically significant for publication bias. The difference was unaltered by adjustment for current size and was independent of age at measurement of blood pressure and year of birth. Diastolic blood pressure was not significantly related to type of feeding in infancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective publication of small studies with positive findings may have exaggerated claims that breast feeding in infancy reduces systolic blood pressure in later life. The results of larger studies suggest that feeding in infancy has at most a modest effect on blood pressure, which is of limited clinical or public health importance.
Owen
Christopher G
CG
Department of Community Health Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, London SW17 ORE. c.owen@sghms.ac.uk
Whincup
Peter H
PH
Gilg
Julie A
JA
Cook
Derek G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged