Impact of breastfeeding duration on coagulation in women with and without history of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Abstract

Breastfeeding is associated with a reduced maternal risk for cardiovascular diseases. Since the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood, we here examined the impact of breastfeeding on the plasmatic coagulation system in women with and without history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). 76 participants of the German Gestational Diabetes Study (PREG; NCT04270578) were examined 14 [interquartile range: 12-26] months after delivery with a 5-point oral glucose tolerance test. Global coagulation tests, prothrombotic coagulation proteins (FII/FVII/FVIII/FIX), antithrombotic proteins (antithrombin, protein C/S) and endothelial markers (von-Willebrand-factor and PAI-1) were determined. The Framingham Risk Score was used to estimate the 10-year cardiovascular risk. The impact of breastfeeding duration on coagulation was analyzed using multivariable linear models. The mean duration of breastfeeding was 11 [7-14] months. Overall, longer duration of breastfeeding was associated with lower cardiovascular risk (Framingham Risk Score, p=0.05) and was negatively associated with FIX (p=0.018). We detected an interaction between previous GDM and breastfeeding duration for FIX (pInteraction=0.017): only in women with GDM history was the duration of breastfeeding negatively associated with FIX activity (p=0.016). This association persisted in statistical models adjusted for age, body-mass index, insulin sensitivity, and C-reactive protein. The duration of breastfeeding was not associated with anticoagulant proteins and endothelial markers. Longer duration of breastfeeding is associated with lower cardiovascular risk and an improved coagulation profile. Women with GDM history appear to benefit particularly from prolonged breastfeeding.