Consumption of Breast Milk Is Associated With Decreased Prevalence of Autism in Fragile X Syndrome

Abstract

ObjectivesBreastfeeding is associated with numerous health benefits in infants, but early life nutrition has not been specifically studied in the neurodevelopmental disorder fragile X syndrome (FXS). Herein, we evaluate associations between the consumption of breast milk during infancy and the prevalence of autism, allergies, diabetes, gastrointestinal (GI) problems and seizures in participants with FXS. MethodsThe study design was a retrospective survey of families enrolled in the Fragile X Online Registry and Accessible Research Database (FORWARD). ResultsThere was a 73% rate of breastfeeding in the enrolled participants with an 81% rate for at least 3 months, 73% for 6 months and 41% for 12 months of age or longer. There was a 1.7-fold reduction in the prevalence of autism in participants with FXS who were fed breast milk for 12 months or longer and a 1.9-fold decrease in autism in participants reporting no use of any infant formula (P < 0.05). The most common reasons for cessation of breastfeeding were reduced milk production and age of the child. There were strong negative correlations between increased time the infant with FXS was fed breast milk and the prevalence of autism and seizures and moderate negative correlations with the prevalence of GI problems and allergies. However, participants reporting GI problems or allergies commenced these comorbidities significantly earlier than participants that were not fed breast milk. Parsing the data by sex indicated that males exclusively fed breast milk exhibited decreased prevalence of GI problems and allergies. ConclusionsThese data suggest that long-term or exclusive use of breast milk is associated with reduced prevalence of key comorbidities in FXS including autism, GI problems and allergies, although breast milk is associated with the earlier development of GI problems and allergies. Funding SourcesNICHD.