Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study

Abstract Introduction Breastfeeding represents an important opportunity to optimize health outcomes for both mother and infant, particularly in the context of maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. However, evidence suggests that women affected by these conditi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Kate Rassie, Raja Ram Dhungana, Aya Mousa, Helena Teede, Anju E. Joham
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-08-01
Series:Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14868
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849687577976635392
author Kate Rassie
Raja Ram Dhungana
Aya Mousa
Helena Teede
Anju E. Joham
author_facet Kate Rassie
Raja Ram Dhungana
Aya Mousa
Helena Teede
Anju E. Joham
author_sort Kate Rassie
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Breastfeeding represents an important opportunity to optimize health outcomes for both mother and infant, particularly in the context of maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. However, evidence suggests that women affected by these conditions breastfeed at reduced rates and durations. Our aim was to use the large, prospective, community‐based Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) to conduct an in‐depth exploratory analysis of breastfeeding outcomes in Australian women affected by key maternal metabolic conditions. Material and Methods Data from 12 920 pregnancies to 5605 women from the 1973–1978 birth cohort of the ALSWH were examined. Univariable and multivariable regression using generalized estimating equation models were applied to assess breastfeeding initiation and duration (outcome measures) in relation to key self‐reported maternal metabolic diagnoses (pre‐gestational type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome; main explanatory variables). Key sociodemographic and clinical covariates were also considered. Results Results showed no significant association between specific maternal metabolic diagnoses (pre‐gestational or gestational diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome) and breastfeeding outcomes. However, maternal body mass index emerged as a key predictor of suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes. Pregnancies affected by maternal obesity were associated with a 2.1‐fold increase in the odds of not initiating breastfeeding, after adjusting for other key variables (95% CI 1.67 to 2.60, p < 0.01). Maternal overweight and obesity were, respectively, associated with an adjusted 1.4‐fold (95% CI 1.20 to 1.55, p < 0.01) and 1.8‐fold increase (95% CI 1.60 to 2.10, p < 0.01) in the odds of a breastfeeding duration less than 6 months. Conclusions Maternal obesity, rather than any specific maternal metabolic condition, appears to be a key predictor of breastfeeding outcomes in Australian women.
format Article
id doaj-art-1a7f22e6daa94d8e8fedc6d077a64c16
institution DOAJ
issn 0001-6349
1600-0412
language English
publishDate 2024-08-01
publisher Wiley
record_format Article
series Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
spelling doaj-art-1a7f22e6daa94d8e8fedc6d077a64c162025-08-20T03:22:18ZengWileyActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica0001-63491600-04122024-08-0110381570158310.1111/aogs.14868Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort studyKate Rassie0Raja Ram Dhungana1Aya Mousa2Helena Teede3Anju E. Joham4Monash center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Melbourne Victoria AustraliaMonash center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Melbourne Victoria AustraliaMonash center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Melbourne Victoria AustraliaMonash center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Melbourne Victoria AustraliaMonash center for Health Research and Implementation (MCHRI), Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Monash University Melbourne Victoria AustraliaAbstract Introduction Breastfeeding represents an important opportunity to optimize health outcomes for both mother and infant, particularly in the context of maternal metabolic conditions such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome. However, evidence suggests that women affected by these conditions breastfeed at reduced rates and durations. Our aim was to use the large, prospective, community‐based Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) to conduct an in‐depth exploratory analysis of breastfeeding outcomes in Australian women affected by key maternal metabolic conditions. Material and Methods Data from 12 920 pregnancies to 5605 women from the 1973–1978 birth cohort of the ALSWH were examined. Univariable and multivariable regression using generalized estimating equation models were applied to assess breastfeeding initiation and duration (outcome measures) in relation to key self‐reported maternal metabolic diagnoses (pre‐gestational type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and polycystic ovary syndrome; main explanatory variables). Key sociodemographic and clinical covariates were also considered. Results Results showed no significant association between specific maternal metabolic diagnoses (pre‐gestational or gestational diabetes, or polycystic ovary syndrome) and breastfeeding outcomes. However, maternal body mass index emerged as a key predictor of suboptimal breastfeeding outcomes. Pregnancies affected by maternal obesity were associated with a 2.1‐fold increase in the odds of not initiating breastfeeding, after adjusting for other key variables (95% CI 1.67 to 2.60, p < 0.01). Maternal overweight and obesity were, respectively, associated with an adjusted 1.4‐fold (95% CI 1.20 to 1.55, p < 0.01) and 1.8‐fold increase (95% CI 1.60 to 2.10, p < 0.01) in the odds of a breastfeeding duration less than 6 months. Conclusions Maternal obesity, rather than any specific maternal metabolic condition, appears to be a key predictor of breastfeeding outcomes in Australian women.https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14868breastfeedingdiabetes mellituslactationobesitypolycystic ovary syndrome
spellingShingle Kate Rassie
Raja Ram Dhungana
Aya Mousa
Helena Teede
Anju E. Joham
Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
breastfeeding
diabetes mellitus
lactation
obesity
polycystic ovary syndrome
title Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study
title_full Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study
title_fullStr Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study
title_short Maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes: Insights from an Australian cohort study
title_sort maternal metabolic conditions as predictors of breastfeeding outcomes insights from an australian cohort study
topic breastfeeding
diabetes mellitus
lactation
obesity
polycystic ovary syndrome
url https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.14868
work_keys_str_mv AT katerassie maternalmetabolicconditionsaspredictorsofbreastfeedingoutcomesinsightsfromanaustraliancohortstudy
AT rajaramdhungana maternalmetabolicconditionsaspredictorsofbreastfeedingoutcomesinsightsfromanaustraliancohortstudy
AT ayamousa maternalmetabolicconditionsaspredictorsofbreastfeedingoutcomesinsightsfromanaustraliancohortstudy
AT helenateede maternalmetabolicconditionsaspredictorsofbreastfeedingoutcomesinsightsfromanaustraliancohortstudy
AT anjuejoham maternalmetabolicconditionsaspredictorsofbreastfeedingoutcomesinsightsfromanaustraliancohortstudy