Liver disease in alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency. A retrospective analysis of the influence of early breast- vs bottle-feeding

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Abstract
Children with .alpha.1-antitrypsin deficiency were identified. Their early feeding history was investigated. Between 1969 and 1983, 40 children with the deficiency were identified. Clinical information was obtained from hospital records and from questionnaires mailed to the parents. Complete morbidity, mortality and early feeding data were obtained for 32 of the children who were born at 38-42 weeks'' gestation and whose weights were appropriate for gestational age. The presence of severe liver disease and the death rate of those who were exclusively breast-fed for 1 month were compared with those who had been bottle-fed. Severe liver disease was present in 8 (40%) of bottle-fed and 1 (8%) of breast-fed infants. Of the 32 infants 24 were still alive at the termination of the study; 12 breast-fed and 12 bottle-fed during their 1st mo. of life. All 8 deceased infants were bottle-fed. The mortality rate in the bottle-fed group was significantly greater than that of the breast-fed group. Breast-feeding may offer some protection against severe liver disease and early death in infants with .alpha.1-antitrypsin deficiency.