Association between Breastfeeding Pattern and Likelihood of Myopia in 6-7 year Old Children

Prevalence of early and juvenile myopia has been increased recently scientists suggest that early life style including breastfeeding may play a role. Hence we tried to investigate the association between breastfeeding pattern and likelihood of myopia in 6-7 year old children. 245 new myopic cases and 245 controls were recruited. Anthropometric measurements and Raven IQ test were administered. Parents filled Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and two other questionnaires assessing breastfeeding pattern and myopia risk factors. Odds ratios for breastfeeding pattern and other potential risk factors were estimated. Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months (OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03- 0.96) and breastfeeding for 12 months or more (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03-0.74) were independently related to myopia after adjusting for other potential risk factors. Refined carbohydrate consumption (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.02-4.21), Being overweight (OR:2.20 95% CI: 1.05-4.64), number of siblings (OR:0.28, 95% CI: 0.13-0.59), distance between child and TV (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.06- 0.29) or computer (OR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.14- 0.76) before awareness of myopia, myopia at least in one of parents (OR: 6.91, 95% CI: 3.33- 14.34), mother’s education (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.26-5.56) and maternal age at birth (OR: 0.24, 95% CI:0.09-0.64) were independently related to myopia in childhood. Our findings suggest that Exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and breastfeeding for 12 months or more are independently associated with decreased risk of myopia in 6-7y children and further studies to investigate the effect of long-term breastfeeding on early myopia is recommended.