Breast feeding in infancy and arterial endothelial function later in life. The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study

Abstract

Background/Objectives: 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. Subjects/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.