591 - Breastfeeding Practices in a High Familial Risk Cohort for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Poster Number: 591
Publication Number: 591.309

Ruchi Punatar, UC Davis, SACRAMENTO, CA, United States; Kathleen Angkustsiri, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States; Laura R. Kair, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States; Rebecca J. Schmidt, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, United States; Daniel J. Tancredi, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States

Background: Breastfeeding (BF) patterns for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) might be different compared to their typically developing (TD) peers. There are retrospective studies in which parents report lower rates and shorter duration of BF for children diagnosed with ASD. It is unknown if differences in BF is associated with ASD diagnosis or symptom severity. To our knowledge, BF practices have not been studied prospectively in a group with elevated risk for ASD.

Objective: This study aims to describe the BF patterns of younger siblings of children with ASD, an elevated ASD risk cohort, from prospectively collected data.

Design/Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted from the MARBLES (Markers of Autism Risk in Babies Learning Early Signs) Study, a prospective enhanced-risk cohort study of siblings of children with ASD. This study was designed to investigate environmental exposures and early biomarkers of ASD. Information on BF practices was collected and developmental evaluations were conducted. The participants were clinically classified into three groups based on an evaluation at three years of age: TD, ASD and non-typical development (Non-TD). Descriptive statistics were used to characterize BF patterns. ANOVA was used to compare the duration of BF. Pearson’s chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were used to compare the frequency of BF.

Results: 309 participants born between December 2006 and January 2017 were included in the analysis. 199 (64.4%) were classified TD, 68 (22.0%) were classified ASD, and 42 (13.6%) were classified Non-TD. In this enhanced-risk cohort, the mean duration of BF was 11.7 mos (SD 9.9 mos). 94.5% of the mothers initiated BF. The rate of BF was 79.9% at 4 mos, 70.2% at 6 mos, and 49.5% at 12 mos. There were no significant differences in the mean duration of BF, frequency of initiation of BF, and frequency of BF at 4, 6, and 12 mos among children in the three clinical outcome categories.Conclusion(s): The rate of ever BF, BF at 6 mos, and BF at 12 mos for this enhanced-risk cohort is higher than the BF rates reported by the CDC for California. While there is a trend towards earlier cessation of BF in the ASD group, the results are not statistically significant. This is in contrast to prior studies which have shown statistically significant differences in duration and frequency of BF for children with ASD. The strength of this study is the prospectively-collected data. Limitations are that the cohort is not representative of the general population and the small sample size.
Dr. Ruchi Punatar, CVRuchi Punatar CV .pdf