mum and baby

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Maternal health research

These studies explore the potentially protective effect of breastfeeding on the development of rheumatoid arthritis.

Breastfeeding and risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A systematic Review and Metaanalysis 

The aim of this study was to perform a metaanalysis to clarify the effect of breastfeeding on RA risk. This metaanalysis suggests that breastfeeding is associated with a lower risk of RA, whether breastfeeding duration is longer or shorter than 12 months.

Chen, H. et al (2015). Breastfeeding and Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis. The Journal of Rheumatology; doi: 10.3899/jrheum.150195

 

Related research and further reading

Maternal Health Research: Meta-analyses

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The Lancet: Increasing breastfeeding worldwide could prevent over 800,000 child deaths every year

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The impact of breastfeeding on maternal and child health: Acta Paediatrica special issue

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