Abstract | Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the duration of breastfeeding in infancy reduces the risk of childhood leukemia or lymphoma, and modifies the risk of developing functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Subjects and methods: This case control study involved the recruitment of children with lymphoid malignancy and functional gastrointestinal symptoms with healthy children as controls. Focused questionnaires were used to collect data on breastfeeding history and other key risk factors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were undertaken. Results: Of the 334 children with lymphoid malignancy (65%) were male. The control group included 334 age and sex matched participants. Most (n=189; 56.6%) of the children with leukemia were <10 years of age. Differences between cases and controls included the duration of breastfeeding (p<0.0001), mean birth weight (p<0.001), maternal age (p<0.001), paternal age (p<0.001), birth order (p<0.001), mean number of children (p<0.001), BMI percentile (p=0.042) and maternal smoking (p=0.012). Breastfeeding duration of up to 6 months duration, when compared with feeding of longer than 6 months, was associated with increased odds ratios (OR) for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [ALL], (OR=3.43, 95% (CI) 2.37–4.98; p<0.001), Hodgkins lymphoma (HL) (OR=1.58, 95% CI 0.88–2.84, p=0.120), Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) (OR=2.14, 95% CI 1.25–3.65, p=0.005), and overall (OR=1.95, 95% CI 1.40–2.71, p<0.001). Cases also differed from controls in regards FGIDs such as stomach ache (p<0.001), dyspepsia (p<0.001), early satiety (p=0.017), bowel satisfaction (p<0.001), bloating (p <0.001), nausea (p=0.005), vomiting (p=0.039), constipation (p=0.003), diarrhea (p=0.010), gastrointestinal canal congestion (p =0.039), muscle aches pains (p=0.008), fecal incontinence (p=0.021) and indigestion (p=0.003). A multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that maternal smoking (p<0.001), formula feeding (p<0.001), duration of breastfeeding (p<0.001), birth order (p=0.002), mother’s age (p=0.004) and the child’s birth weight (p=0.009) were predictors for leukemia. Further analysis showed that dyspepsia (p<0.001), gastrointestinal tract (GIT) canal congestion (p<0.001), constipation (p=0.009), diarrhea (p=0.013), bowel satisfaction (p=0.021), bloating (p=0.022), duration of breastfeeding (p<0.001), and stomach ache (p=0.025) were significant predictors for developing FGID symptoms after adjusting for age, gender, and other confounding variables. Conclusion: This study confirmed breastfeeding has some effect on reducing possible risk of childhood lymphoma and leukemia and FGID symptoms compared to healthy control children. |
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