J Korean Soc Matern Child Health.  2019 Jul;23(3):185-190. 10.21896/jksmch.2019.23.3.185.

The Effect of Breastfeeding on Prevention of Maternal Hypertension: Systematic Review

• Jeon H
• Joo SH
• Choi A
• Han JY
• Jeong ES
• Shin HJ
• Kim JY

• KMID: 2454968
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2019.23.3.185

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study is to clarify the relevance of breastfeeding and its preventive effect on maternal hypertension as well as to evaluate the theoretical mechanism behind of it through systematic evaluation of existing articles.
METHODS
For systematic evaluation of literatures in recent 5 years, 5 most suitable articles were selected with the key words, (breastfeeding or breastfeed or lactation) AND (hypertension or high blood pressure or hypertensive disorders) from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochran Library, and carefully reviewed by 2 researchers.
RESULTS
Breastfeeding women have less frequently developed hypertension in their later life. Depending on the duration of breastfeeding, compared to nonbreastfeeding women, breastfeeding women's odds ratio for developing hypertension are 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-0.99), 0.83 (95% CI, 0.68-1.00), and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.65-0.97) each for 0-6 months, 6-12 months, and greater than 12 months of breastfeeding. As the number of breastfeeding children increases, the incidence of maternal hypertension decreases. In addition, both partial and exclusive breastfeeding lower the risk of developing maternal hypertension. Though the mechanism of prophylactic effect of breastfeeding on hypertension is not conclusive, reset hypothesis, oxytocin release, the increase of ghrelin and protein peptide YY, as well as epigenetic programming are considered to be relevant to the etiology of the condition.
CONCLUSION
Breastfeeding prevents maternal hypertension later in life. Studies show dose-response relationship of breastfeeding as the duration matters. In addition, both partial and exclusive breastfeeding have preventive effect on maternal hypertension. Numerous mechanisms are continuously being reported and further studies are needed for clarification.

Keyword

Breastfeeding; Hypertension; Oxytocin

MeSH Terms

Breast Feeding*
Child
Epigenomics
Female
Ghrelin
Humans
Hypertension*
Incidence
Odds Ratio
Oxytocin
Peptide YY
Ghrelin
Oxytocin
Peptide YY

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Selection of articles for systemic review.

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  Fig. 2. Pregnancy is related to increased fat stores and detrimental changes in glucose and lipid metabolism. Alteration of pregnancy may last for a longer period without lactation.

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