(SDAS) Patterns of Infant Feeding and Child's Health at Six Years of Age
Grantee: The University of Memphis
Principal Investigator: Wilfried Karmaus
Project Number: R40MC29450
Project Date: 04/01/2016
Age group(s)
- Prenatal
- Perinatal/Infancy (0-12 months)
- Toddlerhood (13-35 months)
- Early Childhood (3-5 years)
- Middle Childhood (6-11 years)
Targeted/Underserved Population
- African American
- Asian/Pacific Islander
Abstract
Breastfeeding is considered to protect mother and child against a variety of diseases. Scientific studies assessed the breastfeeding status as feeding of breast milk, which includes indirect means such as pumping and feeding. In contrast, we have demonstrated that duration of direct breastfeeding is associated with increased lung volume in children and adolescents, which can be explained by lung growth due to the exercise related to direct breastfeeding imposed on the newborn. In addition, recently it has been demonstrated that breast milk changes its constitution, when it is stored and provided in a bottle. In most studies, lack of specific modes of 'breastfeeding' (direct vs. indirect breastfeeding) together with an increasing proportion of indirect feeding is likely to have contributed to contradictory findings on beneficial health effects of breastfeeding. In addition, the high proportion of mixed modes of feeding (direct breastfeeding, pumping and formula feeding) in the United States requires the identification of more specific pattern and novel assessment of related risk of allergic diseases and increased weight gain. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) has conducted a follow-up study of nursing mothers and collected monthly questionnaire data on various modes of feeding and on child health (prenatal to month 12). In addition, after six years, US FDA has contacted the participating mothers again and collected information on the health of their children. We propose to re-analyze this unique data-set to test whether different patterns of infant feeding are related to offspring health, focusing on asthma, eczema and other skin diseases, hay fever or respiratory allergy, food allergy, weight gain and growth. These outcomes are highly prevalent during childhood, and are associated with high healthcare costs, and lower quality of life during adulthood. The proposed re-analyses will provide answers to critical "maternal child health" questions: Are there typical feeding patterns related to higher risk of allergic diseases and overweight? Does the promotional campaign for breastfeeding need to re-consider the option of pumping and feeding due to a higher risk of adverse outcomes? Is the risk of allergic diseases in childhood and of increased weight gain during childhood higher when additional modes of infant feeding are introduced too early (i.e., the mixed feeding modes)? And finally, how important is it, to continue one mode of feeding for at least 3-4 months? Using the data from longitudinal studies "Infant Feeding Practices Study II" and "Year-6 Follow-up," we will conduct log-linear models to assess the relative risk of allergic diseases. We will apply repeated measurement models (linear mixed models) to determine which factors are associated with increased weight gain. The explanatory models will control for confounders, which have been carefully determined in the Infant Feeding Practices Study II and the six-year follow-up. We will collaborate with multiple institutions and breastfeeding coalitions (The Urban Child Institute in Memphis, the Center for Breastfeeding Medicine the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, the South Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (SCBC), and 'All the Best' in Columbia, SC, to promote breastfeeding and will disseminate our findings locally, nationally, and internationally.Publications
Listed is descending order by year published.
Mathias JG, Zhang H, Soto-Ramirez N, and Karmaus W. The association of infant feeding patterns with food allergy symptoms and food allergy in early childhood. International Breastfeeding Journal (2019) 14-:43
<< Previous Next >>