Effect of breast feeding in infancy on blood pressure in later life: systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine whether breast feeding in infancy compared with bottle feeding formula milk is associated with lower mean blood pressure at different ages.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases.

Study selection

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

Data extraction

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

Data synthesis

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 particip

SUBMITTER: Owen CG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC274051 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature