Table 3.
Effect of Lactation on Maternal Aortic, Coronary, and Carotid Arteries*
| Lactation | Aortic Calcification | Coronary Calcification | Carotid Plaque |
|---|---|---|---|
| Univariable (n=297) | |||
| None | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) |
| Inconsistent | 0.42 (0.22–0.83) | 0.87 (0.46–1.66) | 0.88 (0.41–1.92) |
| Consistent | 0.31 (0.16–0.58) | 0.43 (0.22–0.83) | 0.49 (0.22–1.08) |
| Adjusted for age, parity, site (n=297) | |||
| None | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) |
| Inconsistent | 0.47 (0.24–0.93) | 0.83 (0.43–1.61) | 0.98 (0.44–2.22) |
| Consistent | 0.32 (0.17–0.62) | 0.45 (0.23–0.87) | 0.57 (0.25–1.29) |
| Additionally adjusted† (n=247) | |||
| None | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) |
| Inconsistent | 0.61 (0.24–1.55) | 0.71 (0.28–1.81) | 1.46 (0.50–4.26) |
| Consistent | 0.26 (0.10–0.68) | 0.36 (0.14–0.95) | 0.73 (0.23–2.32) |
| Additionally adjusted for body mass index‡ (n=245) | |||
| None | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) |
| Inconsistent | 0.56 (0.21–1.49) | 0.72 (0.26–2.00) | 1.35 (0.46–3.97) |
| Consistent | 0.25 (0.09–0.69) | 0.42 (0.15–1.21) | 0.70 (0.22–2.23) |
| Additionally adjusted for traditional CV risk factors§ (n=206) | |||
| None | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) | 1.00 (ref) |
| Inconsistent | 0.34 (0.09–1.28) | 0.96 (0.28–3.27) | 0.75 (0.18–3.23) |
| Consistent | 0.19 (0.05–0.68) | 0.43 (0.13–1.49) | 0.45 (0.11–1.84) |
ref, reference; CV, cardiovascular.
Data are odds ratio (95% confidence interval).
Consistent lactation=breastfed all children for 3 months or more; inconsistent lactation=breastfed any child for less than 3 months.
Additionally adjusted for race, education, financial strain, smoking, menopausal status, physical activity, daily dietary intake (kcal) (natural log), daily dietary intake of fiber (g) (natural log), daily dietary intake of cholesterol (mg) (natural log), daily dietary intake of sodium (mg) (natural log), vitamin supplementation, perceived stress, depressed mood, and family history of diabetes, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
Body mass index categories were less than 25, 25–30, and 30 or greater.
Traditional risk factor variables for cardiovascular disease include systolic blood pressure (natural log), triglycerides (natural log), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (natural log), C-reactive protein (natural log), glucose (natural log), and insulin (natural log).