ABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the protective effects of breastfeeding on behavioral problems at 4 years in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Methods:Based on the Ma' anshan Birth Cohort (MABC) study, 305 GDM women and their children were recruited in this study from Ma' anshan Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from May 2013 to September 2014. Total breastfeeding duration was followed up at 42 d, 3, 6, 12, and 18 months postpartum as well as the breastfeeding intensity within 6 months. All the subjects were divided into breastfeeding group ( n=256, including exclusive breastfeeding and mixed feeding) or bottle feeding group ( n=49). Internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems at age 4 were assessed using Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1.5~5) and their association with breastfeeding were analyzed using robust Poisson regression. Controlling false discovery rate was applied for multiple test correction. Results:Compared with bottle feeding, breastfeeding was a protective factor for depression in children ( RR=0.23, 95% CI: 0.05-0.98, q=0.048) when the duration was 4-5 months; for somatic complaints ( RR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.14-0.95, q=0.047) and anxiety ( RR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.06-0.62, q=0.010) with a breastfeeding duration of 6-11 months; and for depression ( RR=0.46, 95% CI: 0.25-0.83, q=0.039) and anxiety ( RR=0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.49, q=0.006) with a breastfeeding duration of 12 months and above. Compared with bottle feeding within 6 months, mixed feeding had a protective effect on somatic complaints ( RR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.13-0.64, q=0.026) and anxiety ( RR=0.18, 95% CI:0.07-0.52, q=0.002). Conclusions:The findings suggested that breastfeeding had a protective effect on behavioral problems at age 4 in children exposed to GDM. Women with GDM should be encouraged to breastfeed.