Influence Of Breastfeeding Research Articles

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BREASTFEEDING FOR THE INFANT GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT: A REVIEW

Based on the literature, the review shows the real value of breast milk as the most optimal type of postnatal feeding of infants. We describe biological mechanisms that are supposed to mediate the influence of breastfeeding on maturation of immune response, regulation of intestinal functions, trophic effect on small and large intestinal mucosa, its microflora and somatic growth of an infant. In infancy, the protective properties of breast milk against intestinal infections are largely related to its prebiotic effect. According to the results of the studies on the structure of the milk fat mycella envelope, their protein not only participate in bacterial adhesion, but also exert substantial anti-microbial activity due to presence of antimicrobial components. We discuss the role of protective nutrients, such as zinc, iron, iodine, selenium and vitamin A and review the results of studies performed in various countries and aimed at evaluation of an association between the type of feeding of an infant in the 1 year of life and the risk of development of somatic abnormalities. A strong influence of micronutrient deficiencies in the pregnant and breastfeeding woman on delay of in utero development has been shown, as well as its contribution to formation of congenital ab- st normalities of any organ or system, connective tissue dysplasia, initiation and development of alimentary-related conditions in infants.

Influence of Breastfeeding on Night Sleep of Mothers and Children

Influence of Breastfeeding on Night Sleep of Mothers and Children

Knowledge of the Digestive Microflora: Evaluation of Breastfeeding on the Establishment of the Gut Microbiota of the Newborn

At birth, the newborn has no bacteria in its gut. This last is rapidly colonized by microbial flora (microbiota) from, mainly of the mother and environment. The main objective is the study of the influence of breastfeeding in the establishment of the intestinal microbial flora in the newborn. The secondary objective of this work was to analyze the bacterial diversity in feces of breast-fed infants and to compare it with that of formula-fed ones. Five pairs of mother-child and 5 fed formula have participated in the study. The Samples were taken at 1, 7, 30 and 90 days and plated out on various culture media. The present study shows that breast milk plays a major role in the development of the intestinal microbiota of the child. The results of this comparative study showed that the fecal matter of a mother breast-fed infants are more rich in probiotics and less rich in pathogenic bacteria that infants receiving infant formula.

Influência da amamentação nos resultados do teste oral de tolerância à glicose pós-parto de mulheres com diabetes mellitusgestacional

To determine the influence of breastfeeding on the results of a postpartum oral glucose tolerance test in women recently diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus. The data were obtained from the electronic medical records of the Endocrinopathy Sector during pregnancy, HCMED laboratory system ofHospital das Clínicas of São Paulo , and by telephone. According to the inclusion criteria adopted, 132 patients were eligible for the study. For statistical analysis, the patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not they breastfed. The results were analyzed by the Student t-test and by the Mann-Whitney, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests, depending on the variable analyzed, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. Of the 132 patients included in the study, 114 breastfed and 18 did not. Most of the patients in both groups were overweight or obese. The breastfeeding group had a lower pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index than the non-breastfeeding group (p=0.006). Insulin was introduced earlier in the group that did not breastfeed (23.21±4.33 versus 28.84±6.17; p=0.04). The group that did not breastfeed had a higher mean postpartum fasting glucose value in the oral glucose tolerance test than the group that breastfed (91.3±8.7 versus 86.5±9.3; p=0.01). Breastfeeding acted as a protective factor against the development of glucose intolerance in the postpartum oral glucose tolerance test (OR=0.27; 95%CI 0.09-0.8). By logistic regression, breastfeeding was shown to be an independent protective factor. There was a statistically significant relationship between breastfeeding and a decreased risk of developing glucose intolerance. Breastfeeding should be encouraged because it is an effective, low cost intervention easily accessible to all patients during the postpartum period.

PENGARUH PEMBERIAN ASI TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN ANAK USIA 6 – 12 BULAN DI RW 04 DESA SAMBIBULU KECAMATAN TAMAN SIDOARJO

This research is to observe the purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of breastfeeding toward the development of children aged 6 - 12 months living in RW 04 Sambibulu Village, Taman Sub-district, Sidoarjo. The design of research was analytic retrospective study. The population involved 29 couples with their children aged 6 - 12 months living in the above mentioned region. The simple random sampling technique was used to take 27 couples as the samples of research. The independent variable of this research was breastfeeding, whereas the dependent one was the child’s development. Questionnaires of breast and checklist of KPSP (Pre Screening Questionnaire for Child Development) were used to collect the data which analyzed by using Mann-Whitney’s statistic test with the significance level α = 0.05, it means that there was a relationship between breastfeeding and the development of children p (0.000) &lt; α (0.05)

Influence of breastfeeding and postnatal nutrition on cardiovascular remodeling induced by fetal growth restriction

Our aim was to determine the influence of breastfeeding and postnatal nutrition on cardiovascular remodeling induced by fetal growth restriction (FGR). A cohort study including 81 children with birthweight <10th centile (FGR) and 121 with adequate fetal growth for gestational age (AGA) was conducted. Cardiovascular endpoints were left ventricular sphericity index (LVSI), carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), and blood pressure (BP) at 4-5 y of age. The combined effect of FGR and postnatal variables-including breastfeeding, fat dietary intake, and BMI-on cardiovascular endpoints was assessed by linear and robust regressions. FGR was the strongest predictor of cardiovascular remodeling in childhood, leading to lower LVSI and increased cIMT and BP as compared with AGA. Breastfeeding >6 mo (coefficient: 0.0982) and healthy-fat dietary intake (coefficient: -0.0128) showed an independent beneficial effect on LVSI and cIMT, respectively. Overweight/obesity induced an additional increment of 1 SD on cIMT in FGR children (interaction coefficient: 0.0307) when compared with its effect in AGA. BMI increased systolic BP (coefficient: 0.7830) while weight catch-up increased diastolic BP (coefficient: 4.8929). Postnatal nutrition ameliorates cardiovascular remodeling induced by FGR. Breastfeeding and healthy-fat dietary intake improved while increased BMI worsened cardiovascular endpoints, which opens opportunities for targeted postnatal interventions from early life.

Breastfeeding and Nasopharyngeal Colonization With Common Respiratory Pathogens Among Children

Background: Breastfeeding has been associated with decreased frequency of otitis media in children. It might be due to lower prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization with the respiratory pathogens among breast-fed infants compared to those who are formula-fed. Objectives: This study was performed to determine the influence of breastfeeding on Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis colonization rates in children. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2 - 6 years old children in 10 randomly selected daycare centers in northeast of Iran (Mashhad) were studied. We obtained nasopharyngeal specimens to culture for Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis from 1125 children. Carriage rates for aforementioned bacteria were determined and analyzed on the basis of feeding type during infancy. Results: A total of 885 children were breast-fed (78.7%), 69 children were formula-fed (6.1%), and 171 children were mixed-fed (15.2%). Carriage rates of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis among children were 13.1%, 9.1%, and 4.3%, respectively. Although lower incidence of nasopharyngeal colonization was found in breast- versus formula-fed children, it was not significant (P > 0.5). Conclusions: It seems that feeding in infancy has no influence over the prevalence of nasopharyngeal colonization with respiratory pathogens during childhood.

The influence of breastfeeding in the hospitalization of children under two years of age in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, in 1997 and 2006

The scope of this paper was to evaluate the influence of breastfeeding and other factors on the incidence of hospitalization and the frequency and main causes of hospitalization in children under two years of age in the State of Pernambuco. It is a cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study using secondary data obtained from the II and III State Health and Nutrition Surveys (PESN) carried out in 1997 and 2006, respectively. A sample of 1503 infants under two years of age was studied. Pearson's Chi-square test was used to analyze bivariate associations and Fisher's exact test for comparison of risk of hospitalization in the two years of observation and Poisson regression for the adjustment of the multivariate model of hospitalizations in the last survey. In the two years analyzed, there was no statistically significant difference in the percentage of hospitalizations of children. The lower risk of hospitalization remained for those who were breastfed exclusively. Regarding to environmental, socioeconomic, demographic characteristics and health assistance, several factors have evolved favorably in the period assessed. In the final model, only the weight/length ratio (low weight category) remained associated with the risk of hospitalization in children under two years of age factors.

Influence of breastfeeding on retinal vessel calibers in school-age children. The Generation R Study

A shorter breastfeeding duration is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Early microvasculature structure adaptations may be part of the underlying mechanism. We examined the associations of ever breastfeeding, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, and the timing of introduction of solid foods with retinal vessel calibers in children. We performed a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life onwards in the city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. We obtained information on ever breastfeeding, breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, and age at introduction of solid foods from postal questionnaires at the ages of 2, 6 and 12 months after birth. At the median age of 6.0 years (90% range: 5.7-6.8), we measured retinal arteriolar and venular calibers from digitized retinal photographs among 3220 children. Grader-specific s.d. scores (SDS) for both central retinal and arteriolar equivalents were constructed. We observed that in the models only adjusted for child's age, sex and ethnicity, children who were never breastfed had narrower retinal arteriolar and venular calibers in childhood as compared with children who were breastfed (differences in retinal arteriolar and venular calibers, respectively: -0.16 SDS (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.29, -0.03) and -0.18 SDS (95% CI: -0.32, -0.04)). After additional adjustment for maternal and childhood socio-demographic and lifestyle-related characteristics, never breastfeeding was only associated with narrower retinal venular caliber (difference: -0.15 SDS (95% CI: -0.29, -0.02)). We did not observe associations of breastfeeding duration or exclusivity, or age at introduction of solid foods with retinal vessel calibers. Children who were never breastfed tended to have narrower retinal venular calibers. We did not observe associations of breastfeeding duration with retinal vessel calibers. Family-based socio-demographic factors, maternal lifestyle-related factors and childhood factors only slightly influenced the observed associations. These results should be considered a hypothesis generating for further observational and experimental studies.

Effect of breastfeeding on lung function in asthmatic children.

Effect of breastfeeding on the protective effect on asthma has been studied extensively but remains controversial. Studies regarding the effect of breastfeeding on lung function have also been conflicting. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of breastfeeding on lung function in asthmatic children. We included 555 patients who visited Severance Children's Hospital Allergy Clinic with asthma. Pulmonary function, its bronchodilator response (BDR), fractional nitric oxide, and sputum eosinophils were measured. Parents completed questionnaires with information on feeding practices, family history of allergic disease, exposure to tobacco smoke, and presence of pets. Breastfeeding duration was categorized as not breastfed, breastfed <6 months, and breastfed ≥6 months. Within the asthma group, we stratified by atopic sensitization. We also investigated whether exclusivity of breastfeeding had any modifying effect on lung function. In the asthma group, ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) significantly increased according to breastfeeding duration: 86.6 ± 8.7 for not breastfed group, 87.2 ± 8.6 for <6 months group, and 88.8 ± 7.7 for ≥6 months group. Within asthma group, only the nonatopic subjects showed a significant increase of FEV1/FVC, maximal midexpiratory flow, and decrease of maximal response to BD according to breastfeeding duration. Increase in FEV1/FVC was seen in the exclusive breastfeeding for ≥6 months group compared with those partially breastfed but FVC was significantly lower in those exclusively breastfed <6 months group compared with those partially breastfed. BDR decreased with breastfeeding duration in the nonatopic asthma group. In conclusion, longer duration of breastfeeding appears to have a favorable effect on lung function in asthmatic children, especially in nonatopic subjects.

Effect of breast feeding on child development: At birth and beyond

The effect of breast feeding on infant health and development has been the subject of scientific enquiry for decades. The association between breast feeding and early child development is also a complex issue. It has been found that determining the true influence of breastfeeding on child development is difficult for several reasons. This review has been made to explore the effect of ever breast feeding and duration of breast feeding on intelligent quotient, psychomotor and social development of the child during childhood and beyond. Breast feeding has positive effects on cognitive development of infant and it is more pronounced in premature infants. Breast feeding infants have higher intelligence quotient (IQ) than non-breast fed. The amount of mutual touch, tactile stimulation and mother’s gaze to the infant are significantly elevated during breastfeeding and this has a positive influence on the child’s psychological development. The impact of breast feeding on cognitive development, behavior, social adaptation and understanding of the infant needs to be emphasized during the promotion of breast feeding and early child development programs.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/seajph.v4i1.21831 South East Asia Journal of Public Health Vol.4(1) 2014: 4-8

Duration of exclusive breastfeeding is associated with differences in infants' brain responses to emotional body expressions.

Much research has recognized the general importance of maternal behavior in the early development and programing of the mammalian offspring’s brain. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) duration, the amount of time in which breastfed meals are the only source of sustenance, plays a prominent role in promoting healthy brain and cognitive development in human children. However, surprisingly little is known about the influence of breastfeeding on social and emotional development in infancy. In the current study, we examined whether and how the duration of EBF impacts the neural processing of emotional signals by measuring electro-cortical responses to body expressions in 8-month-old infants. Our analyses revealed that infants with high EBF experience show a significantly greater neural sensitivity to happy body expressions than those with low EBF experience. Moreover, regression analyses revealed that the neural bias toward happiness or fearfulness differs as a function of the duration of EBF. Specifically, longer breastfeeding duration is associated with a happy bias, whereas shorter breastfeeding duration is associated with a fear bias. These findings suggest that breastfeeding experience can shape the way in which infants respond to emotional signals.

Derivation of exposure factors for infant lactational exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs)

Quantifying the influence of breastfeeding on infant’s dose and biological levels is critical for the risk assessment of persistent organic pollutant (POP) early exposures. We aimed to quantify infants’ exposure relative to the mother for POPs. Using a validated pharmacokinetic model, Monte-Carlo simulations of infants’ exposure during the first 2years of life for POPs of different half-lives (i.e., 1–20years) were performed. Infant:mother (I:M) ratios for dose and biological levels throughout infancy were derived. To evaluate model accuracy, simulated I:M biological level ratios were compared to ratios calculated from Inuit mothers’ and infants’ measured plasma levels of 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB-153), p,p′-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE) and hexachlorobenzene (HCB). Practically all measured I:M biological level ratios from the Inuit cohort fell below the 95th percentile of the distributions of simulated PCB-153, p,p′-DDE and HCB levels. Peak I:M dose ratios were observed at the beginning of lactation with 95th percentile values of 13, 53, 84, 102 and 113 for half-lives of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20years, respectively. In contrast, peak I:M biological level ratios occurred after approximately 1year of breastfeeding and plateaued at approximately 10.5 (95th percentile) for chemicals of half-lives >5years. Simulated I:M dose and biological level ratios could be employed in risk assessment of early POP exposures through breastfeeding.

Temporal trends in concentrations and total serum burdens of organochlorine compounds from birth until adolescence and the role of breastfeeding

Introduction: The aims of the present study are to assess the temporal trends of organochlorine compounds (OCs) concentrations and total serum burdens from birth until adolescence and the influence of breastfeeding in these temporal trends. Methods: In 1997 two birth cohort studies were set up in Ribera d'Ebre (N=102) and the island of Menorca (N=482), Spain. Concentrations (ng/mL) of OCs [pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), four isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (4,4′-DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4′-DDE) and seven polychlorobiphenyl congeners (Σ7PCBs)] were measured in cord blood and at the age of 4 and 14years. The total serum burdens (ng) of these compounds were estimated based on the total blood volume (mL) of children at the different ages. We compared median concentrations and total serum burdens of these OCs at the different time-points of follow-up between children of Ribera d'Ebre and Menorca and between breastfed and non-breastfed children. Results: From birth until adolescence concentrations of all OCs drastically reduced. These reductions were mainly derived from the dilution of OCs, associated to an increase in total blood volume of children at the age of 4 and 14years. Despite the reduction in OCs concentrations, the total serum burdens of 4,4′-DDE and Σ7PCBs, were higher in adolescents than at birth. Increases in OCs total serum burden occurred both in breastfed and non-breastfed children, but were significantly higher in the first. Conclusions: Even after decades of banning OCs production and use, current young generations in westernized countries are still bioaccumulating these compounds. Given the potential health effects of OCs, especial attention should be paid in the control of secondary emissions in the environment and in the control of food production and contamination. In countries with endemic malaria it is important to work towards effective alternatives to the use of DDT.

Duration of breastfeeding as a risk factor for vertebral fractures

PurposeAmong the risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures, gynecological history (fertile period, parity and breastfeeding) play an important part. Changes in calcium metabolism to enable an adequate mineral transfer to the milk have a prominent role in bone loss during breastfeeding. Data on the influence of breastfeeding in postmenopausal osteoporosis are inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to identify any association between duration of breastfeeding and vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women. MethodsAll patients underwent the following tests: bone mineral density measurements of the lumbar spine (L1–L4) and the total and femoral neck using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and antero-posterior and lateral radiography of the thoracic and lumbar spine to identify vertebral fractures. ResultsThe study involved 752 women with a mean age of 64.5±9.3; 23% of them reported vertebral osteoporotic fractures. The women with vertebral fractures had breastfed for longer periods (11.8±12.9 vs. 9.3±11.2months, p=0.03) and had more pregnancies (2.6±2.2 vs. 2.2±1.3, p=0.002). Breastfeeding for more than 18months was associated with a two-fold risk of developing vertebral fractures (OR 2.12, 95% CI 1.14–5.38, p=0.04), particularly in those without current or past use of drugs positively affecting bone. ConclusionsOur study showed an association between long periods of breastfeeding and vertebral fractures, supporting a role for lengthy lactation as a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures after menopause. Bearing in mind all the benefits of breastfeeding, this finding suggests the importance of an adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding, with the aid of dietary supplements if necessary.

How do pregnancy-related weight changes and breastfeeding relate to maternal weight and BMI-adjusted waist circumference 7 y after delivery? Results from a path analysis

ABSTRACT Background: Reproduction has been related to long-term maternal weight gain, and changes in fat mass, with gestational weight gain, have been identified as an important contributor. However, the influence of weight changes during the whole reproductive cycle and the modifying effect of breastfeeding are unknown. Objective: The objective was to examine how prepregnancy weight, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight changes, and breastfeeding influence maternal weight and body mass index–adjusted waist circumference (WCBMI) 7 y after delivery. Design: This was a prospective cohort study of 23,701 women participating in the Danish National Birth Cohort with singleton births and no births during follow-up. Path analysis was used to assess the total, direct, and indirect effects; the latter was mediated through weight changes on the pathways. Results: Postpartum weight retention at 6 mo and weight gain from 6 to 18 mo postpartum were highly positively associated with both outcomes. A 1-kg increase in weight retention at 6 mo postpartum corresponded to an average increase of 0.5 kg at 7 y. Gestational weight gain was not associated with WCBMI but was positively associated with weight at 7 y; 87% of this effect was mediated through later weight changes. For both outcomes, a small inverse association was observed for breastfeeding duration. This was strongest for WCBMI, for which 97% of the effect was direct, ie, not mediated through postpartum weight. Conclusions: These findings show that postpartum weight retention at 6 mo and weight gain from 6 to 18 mo postpartum contribute equally to adverse maternal anthropometric measures 7 y after delivery. Breastfeeding duration may have a beneficial effect.

Does breastfeeding influence the risk of developing diabetes mellitus in children? A review of current evidence

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to perform a review to investigate the influence of breastfeeding as a protective agent against the onset of diabetes in children. SourcesNon-systematic review of SciELO, LILACS, MEDLINE, Scopus, and VHL databases, and selection of the 52 most relevant studies. A total of 21 articles, specifically on the topic, were analyzed (nine related to type 1 diabetes and 12 to type 2 diabetes). Data synthesisThe duration and exclusivity of breastfeeding, as well as the early use of cow's milk, have been shown to be important risk factors for developing diabetes. It is believed that human milk contains substances that promote the maturation of the immune system, which protect against the onset of type 1 diabetes. Moreover, human milk has bioactive substances that promote satiety and energy balance, preventing excess weight gain during childhood, thus protecting against the development of type 2 diabetes. Although the above mentioned benefits have not been observed by some researchers, inaccuracies on dietary habit reports during childhood and the presence of interfering factors have been considered responsible for the lack of identification of beneficial effects. ConclusionGiven the scientific evidence indicated in most published studies, it is believed that the lack of breastfeeding can be a modifiable risk factor for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Strategies aiming at the promotion and support of breastfeeding should be used by trained healthcare professionals in order to prevent the onset of diabetes.

Is breastfeeding protective for blood pressure in schoolchildren? A cohort study in northeast Brazil.

This study assessed the influence of breastfeeding and nutritional status of full-term infants on blood pressure at school age. This was a cross-sectional study nested in a cohort of 375 infants recruited at birth between 1993 and 1994 in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. A sample of 213 8-year-old children had their blood pressure measured. A multivariate linear regression analysis was used to identify the influence of low birth weight and breastfeeding duration on blood pressure, adjusting for socioeconomic conditions, maternal nutritional status, eating habits, growth rate (0-6 months), and the children's anthropometry at 8 years. Mean values of children's blood pressure were significantly higher with lower duration of breastfeeding. Higher per capita family income, maternal body mass index and height, child's weight and length at birth, and child anthropometric dimensions at 8 years of age were associated with higher levels of blood pressure. The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that children who were breastfed for less than 40 days had higher systolic blood pressures, explaining 2.2% of its variation. Anthropometry at 8 years of age explained the higher variance in systolic blood pressure (12.6%) with emphasis on waist circumference (9.5%), followed by per capita income (3.2%) and maternal height (2.1%). Birth weight and length had no influence on blood pressure levels in this age group. Children's waist circumference, duration of breastfeeding, socioeconomic conditions, and maternal nutritional status influenced blood pressure levels of schoolchildren born full term, rather than low birth weight.

The effect of breastfeeding in body composition of young children

Introduction: the effect of breastfeeding over the body mass components still demands analyses aiming to further investigate the body composition evolution in the after-breastfeeding childhood. Objective: analyze the influence of breastfeeding (BF) over the body composition of children under 3 years old. Methods: 760 children between zero and 3 years old were selected from the data of the longitudinal, home-based study “Saude das Criancas de Sao Paulo II” [“Sao Paulo’s Children Health II”] (1995-1997). The outcome variables used were the anthropometric indexes BMI-for-age (ZBI) and triceps skinfold-for-age (ZDI) expressed in Z-scores based on the WHO reference curve. Panel regression models were used in the analyses, with data from the 3 visits, adjusted by: birth weight, mother’s educational level and mother’s age. Results: there was no association between breastfeeding and ZBI after multiple adjustments. There was inverse association between BF duration and the ZDI index. The interaction between the mother educational level and the BF duration revealed the protective effect of higher educational level over ZDI , when isolated. The mean nutritional indexes showed dose-response effect inversely proportional to the BF duration. Conclusion: breastfeeding showed protective effect against the mean body fat increase in children younger than 3 years.

Influence of breastfeeding on blood‐cell transcript‐based biomarkers of health in children

The expression of specific genes in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) may be used as biomarkers of the metabolic status. High levels of expression of CPT1A, SLC27A2, INSR, LEPR, FASN and PPARα in PBCs are indicative of a lower risk for the insulin resistant or dyslipidaemic state associated with obesity in children. Breastfeeding seems to confer protective effects against obesity and its related metabolic problems. Children who had been breastfed showed higher expression levels of SLC27A2, FASN, PPARα and INSR in PBCs compared with formula-fed subjects. The relationship of the PBC transcript levels of SLC27A2, INSR, FASN and PPARα with insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia may be dependent on the type of infant feeding (breast vs. formula). The transcript levels of the mentioned biomarkers could be useful to distinguish the formula-fed children who are at higher risk of metabolic alterations. Blood-cell transcripts have showed to be good biomarkers of metabolic alterations and their use in early detection and prevention of future disorders is promising. This study aimed to examine the relation between previously proposed transcriptional biomarkers of metabolic health (SLC27A2, CPT1A, FASN, PPARα, INSR, LEPR) in peripheral blood cells and the type of infant feeding in a subset of children from the IDEFICS (Identification and Prevention of Dietary- and Lifestyle-Induced Health Effects in Children and Infants) cohort. A total of 237 children aged 2-9 years from eight European countries were studied. Breastfed children showed higher expression levels of SLC27A2, FASN, PPARα and INSR, and lower risk of being overweight and of having high plasma triglyceride levels vs. formula-fed children. Besides, overweight formula-fed children presented higher HOMA-index than overweight breastfed children (1.90 vs. 1.62); however, this negative effect was absent in formula-fed children with high expression of SLC27A2. Moreover, formula-fed children with low expression of SLC27A2, FASN, PPARα and INSR presented higher triglyceride levels than subjects with high expression of these genes (77.7 mg dL(-1) vs. 44.8 mg dL(-1) ). This difference was absent in breastfed children. Protective effects of breastfeeding are reflected in higher expression levels of SLC27A2, FASN, PPARα and INSR in blood cells. These biomarkers may also serve to discriminate the formula-fed children that are at higher risk of metabolic alterations.