In a study presented at AASLD meeting (San Francisco, November 4, 2011), Ayonrinde et al followed 1170 children in Australia (www.rainstudy.org.au) from birth to age 17. Anthropometric measurements were followed regularly and a liver ultrasound was obtained at age 17.  Patients who reported consuming alcohol were excluded.

By age 17, 16% of girls and 10% of boys had developed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Breastfeeding was highly protective.  Infants breastfed for more than 6 months were less than half as likely to develop NAFLD.

As noted in this blog recently (A liver disease tsunami), fatty liver disease is a huge problem.  While this study may not influence the choice to breastfeed in many cases, it highlights yet another advantage of breastfeeding. 

Previous post on breastfeeding:

More evidence that breastfeeding improves cognitive development