Breastfeeding was associated with lower risks of maternal postpartum hypertension and diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are metabolic disorders that are becoming more prevalent. Breastfeeding is recommended by the World Health Organization for women who have given birth and have been reported to reduce the risk of chronic diseases potentially. However, there is no systematic review to explore the relationship between breastfeeding and diabetes/hypertension by consolidating all available evidence on the topic.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between breastfeeding and maternal diabetes and hypertension.

Methods: This review included comparative studies investigating the association between breastfeeding and the risk of type 2 diabetes or hypertension in parous women. Non-English-language articles, reviews, editorials, letters, and protocols were excluded. The Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched until May 6, 2024. Risk of bias in non-randomized studies-of exposure was used to assess bias in all the included studies. A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the risk of two chronic lactation-related diseases.

Results: Eighteen studies were included. Five studies discussed hypertension, 12 discussed diabetes, and one discussed both. According to a meta-analysis, lactation significantly reduced the risk of postpartum diabetes in women with gestational diabetes mellitus [hazard ratio = 0.64 (95%CI: 0.47-0.89)]. In addition, the meta-analysis produced significant results for postpartum diabetes and hypertension in non-gestational diabetes women, both favoring breastfeeding. However, the risk of bias in most included studies was low or unclear.

Conclusion: Breastfeeding has consistently been shown to be associated with a lower incidence of maternal hypertension and diabetes later in life, even among mothers who experienced gestational diabetes during pregnancy.