Breast feeding in infancy and arterial endothelial function later in life. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.
OBJECTIVE
Breast feeding in infancy may be associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity in adulthood. We examined the association between breast feeding in infancy and arterial function and structure in adulthood in a population-based cohort of Finnish adults.


METHODS
Noninvasive ultrasound was used to measure brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery compliance (CAC) in 1667 young adults participating in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study with data on early nutrition.


RESULTS
Maximal FMD was higher in breast-fed men compared to formula-fed men (7.2+/-4.0 vs 5.9+/-3.4%, P=0.029) while no differences were seen between breast-fed and formula-fed women (8.9+/-4.5 vs 8.8+/-5.0%, P=0.84). In men, the multivariable correlates of FMD included the group variable for breast feeding (P=0.014), birth weight (P=0.043), waist circumference (P<0.001) and baseline brachial artery diameter (P<0.001). In women, the multivariable correlates of FMD were birth weight (P=0.02), waist circumference (P<0.001) and brachial artery baseline diameter (P<0.001). Breast feeding was not significantly associated with IMT or CAC in multivariable models.


CONCLUSIONS
Adult men who have been breast fed have better brachial endothelial function compared to men who have been formula fed.
Järvisalo
M J
MJ
Department of Clinical Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Hutri-Kähönen
N
N
Juonala
M
M
Mikkilä
V
V
Räsänen
L
L
Lehtimäki
T
T
Viikari
J
J
Raitakari
O T
OT
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002784:Cholesterol; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D047928:Premature Birth; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000502:physiology; D055105:Waist Circumference
D002784:Cholesterol