title: Breastfeeding Duration and Anogenital Distance in 2-Year-Old Infants.
abstract: The anogenital distance (AGD) is an anthropometric marker determined by exposures to androgens in utero and throughout the first few months of life. Early exposures to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phthalates have been significantly associated with shortened AGD in boys. Limited studies have explored phthalate concentrations in breast milk and infant formula.
  
  
  
  To explore the associations between breastfeeding duration and AGD measures in infants.
  
  
  
  MALAMA (Medio Ambiente y Lactancia Materna) is a follow-up study of 430 mother-child pairs, from birth to 2 years, from two population-based cohorts in Murcia, Spain. Data were collected through medical visits and telephone surveys from birth to 2 years of age. World Health Organization breastfeeding definitions were used. AGD measurements were assessed in a subsample of 71 boys and 49 girls at the 2-year visit. Descriptive analyses, Pearson correlations, and linear regressions were calculated between AGD and breastfeeding duration.
  
  
  
  Duration of all types of breastfeeding, especially full breastfeeding (FB), is correlated with AGD measures in boys (p < 0.05). AGDAS (anoscrotal distance) and AGDAP (anopenile distance) were positively associated with FB (β = 0.004, 95%CI: 0.001-0.007 and β = 0.003, 95%CI: 0.000-0.007, respectively).
  
  
  
  A positive correlation between AGD in male infants and the duration of breastfeeding is reported. Inversely, early introduction of infant formula could lead to the reduction of AGD in boys.
authors.affiliation: 1 Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Hospital Clinical University Virgen of Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain .
authors.forename: Juan Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ortega-García
authors.affiliation: 1 Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Hospital Clinical University Virgen of Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain .
authors.forename: Henry Andrés
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Olano-Soler
authors.affiliation: 1 Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Hospital Clinical University Virgen of Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain .
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martínez-Álvarez
authors.affiliation: 1 Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Hospital Clinical University Virgen of Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain .|2 Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario La Paz , Madrid, Spain .
authors.forename: Ferran
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Campillo-López
authors.affiliation: 1 Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Hospital Clinical University Virgen of Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain .
authors.forename: Virtudes
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gomariz-Peñalver
authors.affiliation: 3 Division of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Department of Health and Social Sciences, IMIB-Arrixaca, University of Murcia School of Medicine , Murcia, Spain .
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendiola-Olivares
authors.affiliation: 1 Pediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Biomedical Research, IMIB-Arrixaca, Hospital Clinical University Virgen of Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain .
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iglesias-Gómez
authors.affiliation: 4 Endocrinology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Clinical University Virgen of Arrixaca , Murcia, Spain .
authors.forename: Arancha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Escribano-Muñoz
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D000886:Anthropometry; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D041943:Infant Formula; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008297:Male; D018811:Maternal Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010795:Phthalic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D010795:Phthalic Acids; C032279:phthalic acid