Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of multiple sclerosis in males, predominantly among HLA-DRB1*15:01 carriers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Breastfeeding as an infant appears protective against later development of some autoimmune diseases, but research into its influence on multiple sclerosis (MS) risk has yielded inconclusive results.

Objective

We investigated the possible impact of breastfeeding on MS risk.

Methods

We used two population-based case-control studies comprising 3670 cases and 6737 matched controls. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for association between MS and exposure to prolonged breastfeeding (4 months or longer) versus reduced breastfeeding (less than 4 months). A meta-analysis of case-control studies that assessed the impact of breastfeeding on MS risk among women and men was conducted.

Results

Prolonged br

SUBMITTER: Hedstrom AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7364805 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature