Breast-Feeding Associated with Reduced Risk for Developing Multiple Sclerosis

Having more than one pregnancy has been shown to protect against developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Does prolonged breast-feeding play a similar role? In an analysis utilizing the Kaiser Permanente Southern California system, investigators selected 397 patients with recent MS diagnoses and matched them with 433 disease-free controls. Total cumulative duration of breast-feeding and total ovulatory years were determined through interviews. Sixty percent of women had ≥1 child, and breast-feeding data were available for 239 cases and 262 controls. Socioeconomic factors included household income, race/ethnicity, education, and smoking.

Women who breast-fed for ≥15 months were half as likely to receive diagnoses of MS as those who breast-fed for …