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We read with interest the article by Langer-Gould et al.1 Here we describe our related data from 23 pregnant women with clinically defined multiple sclerosis (MS) who had a 12-month postpartum follow-up of periodical neurological evaluation. Eight patients breastfed exclusively (BF group) (without formula feedings) for at least 2 months and 15 did not (NBF group). There were no significant differences in age (mean [SD] BF, 31.1 [3.9] vs NBF, 31.7 [3.7] years; P = .813), disease duration (mean [SD] BF, 39.6 [26.8] vs NBF, 71.5 [48.4] months; P = .114), prepregnancy immunomodulatory treatment (BF, 4 of 8; NBF, 12 of 15; P = .3108), or prepregnancy relapse rate (mean [SD] BF, 0.87 [0.64] vs NBF, 0.89 [0.71]; P = .9539) between the 2 groups.
No significant difference was found in the occurrence of postpartum relapses during the year following delivery between the BF (2 of 8 patients) and NBF groups (8 of 15 patients; P = .387). We also evaluated the development of new T2-weighted lesions on brain and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging performed 1 year after delivery and did not find any significant difference between the 2 groups (BF, 4 of 8 vs NBF, 10 of 15; P = .740).
Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a tendency for the BF group to remain relapse free for a longer period; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance (Figure).
Kaplan-Meier curve for multiple sclerosis relapses in the postpartum period among women who did or did not breastfeed exclusively (P = .1846, log-rank test).
We know that our findings are not in agreement with the article by Langer-Gould et al, but previous studies on the effect of breastfeeding on MS relapses after delivery also did not show concordant results.2 - 3
In our opinion, larger studies are needed to better clarify the role of breastfeeding in the risk of postpartum relapses in patients with MS, and counseling regarding the advisability of breastfeeding should be based only on data from a large population to better define whether breastfeeding should be encouraged in women affected by MS.
Correspondence: Dr Batocchi, Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Largo Gemelli, 8 00168 Rome, Italy (annapaola.batocchi@rm.unicatt.it).
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature
Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal
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