Effect of breastfeeding on bone mass from childhood to adulthood: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results exist about the short-and long-term effects of breastfeeding on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD). We conducted a systematic review to assess the relationship between method of infant feeding and bone mass in children, adolescents and adults. METHODS: The literature review was concluded in September 2014 in MEDLINE, Web of Science and LILACS databases and articles published between 1998 and 2013 were included. Studies using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) instrument to assess the bone mineral content and/or bone mineral density (BMD) of total body, lumbar spine, femoral neck, or at least one of these sites were included in the review. RESULTS: From the 648 references identified, eleven were selected, ten of which had a longitudinal design. All studies were conducted in high-income countries, six evaluated the outcome in children, four in adolescents and one in young adults (<35 years). Of the studies that assessed the outcome in childhood, two found a positive association and the others showed a negative effect of being breastfed on bone mass. In adolescence, three studies showed a positive association between being breastfed and bone outcomes. Among adults, a negative effect of being breastfed exclusively for a longer period of time on bone mass was observed only in men. In women, there was no effect of being breastfed on bone mass. CONCLUSIONS: There is no consensus on the effects of method of infant feeding on an individual’s bone mass at different ages.