Frontiers in Endocrinology (Jun 2024)

Impact of breastfeeding on risk of glucose intolerance in early postpartum after gestational diabetes

  • Yana Vanlaer,
  • Caro Minschart,
  • Hannah Vrolijk,
  • Paul Van Crombrugge,
  • Carolien Moyson,
  • Johan Verhaeghe,
  • Roland Devlieger,
  • Roland Devlieger,
  • Roland Devlieger,
  • Sofie Vandeginste,
  • Hilde Verlaenen,
  • Chris Vercammen,
  • Toon Maes,
  • Els Dufraimont,
  • Nele Roggen,
  • Christophe De Block,
  • Yves Jacquemyn,
  • Yves Jacquemyn,
  • Farah Mekahli,
  • Katrien De Clippel,
  • Annick Van Den Bruel,
  • Anne Loccufier,
  • Inge Van Pottelbergh,
  • Nele Myngheer,
  • Pascale Abrams,
  • Pascale Abrams,
  • Wouter Vinck,
  • Liesbeth Leuridan,
  • Sabien Driessens,
  • Jaak Billen,
  • Christophe Matthys,
  • Annick Bogaerts,
  • Annick Bogaerts,
  • Annouschka Laenen,
  • Chantal Mathieu,
  • Katrien Benhalima

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1374682
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15

Abstract

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AimsTo determine the impact of breastfeeding on the risk of postpartum glucose intolerance in women with gestational diabetes.MethodsSub-analysis of two multi-centric prospective cohort studies (BEDIP-N and MELINDA) in 1008 women with gestational diabetes. Data were collected during pregnancy and at a mean of 12 weeks postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of breastfeeding on glucose intolerance, with adjustment for ethnicity, education, income, professional activity and BMI.ResultsOf all participants, 56.3% (567) breastfed exclusively, 10.1% (102) gave mixed milk feeding and 33.6% (339) did not breastfeed. Mean breastfeeding duration was 3.8 ± 2.4 and 3.7 ± 2.1 months in the breastfeeding and mixed milk feeding groups (p=0.496). The rate of glucose intolerance was lower in both the breastfeeding [22.3% (126)] and mixed milk feeding [25.5% (26)] groups compared to the no breastfeeding group [29.5% (100)], with an adjusted OR of 0.7 (95% CI 0.5–1.0) for glucose intolerance in the breastfeeding group compared to no breastfeeding group and an adjusted OR of 0.7 (95% CI 0.4–1.2) for the mixed milk feeding group compared to the no breastfeeding group. Postpartum, breastfeeding women had a lower BMI, less often postpartum weight retention, lower fasting triglycerides, less insulin resistance and a higher insulin secretion-sensitivity index-2 than the mixed milk feeding and no breastfeeding group. The mixed milk feeding group was more often from an non-White background, had a lower blood pressure and lower fasting triglycerides compared to the no breastfeeding group.ConclusionsBreastfeeding (exclusive and mixed milk feeding) is associated with less glucose intolerance and a better metabolic profile in early postpartum in women with gestational diabetes.

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