Increased circulating inflammatory markers may indicate that formula-fed children are at risk of atherosclerosis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether formula-fed children have higher serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and uric acid levels than breast-fed children and to evaluate the association between these inflammatory markers and breastfeeding duration.

Methods: The study group consisted of 87 patients aged between five and 32 months. Participants were divided into breast-fed and formula-fed groups and into age groups of ≤12 months and >12 months. MCP-1 was measured by the commercial immunoenzymatic ELISA kit, and uric acid was assessed using the colorimetric method.

Results: Children in the formula-fed group had statistically significant higher serum MCP-1 and uric acid levels than breast-fed children (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Anthropometric parameters were comparable in both groups. Serum MCP-1 and uric acid levels were negatively correlated with duration of breastfeeding (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). There was a positive relationship between serum MCP-1 and uric acid concentrations (r = 0.27, p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Increased circulating inflammatory markers may indicate that formula-fed children are at risk of atherosclerosis. However, further studies are needed.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Breastfeeding; Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; Uric acid.