Olivier Boucher1, Jordi Julvez2,3,4,5, Mònica Guxens2,4,6,7, Enrique Arranz8,9, Jesús Ibarluzea4,8,10, Manuel Sánchez de Miguel9, Ana Fernández-Somoano4,11, Adonina Tardon4,11, Marisa Rebagliato4,12,13, Raquel Garcia-Esteban2,4,6, Giselle O'Connor2,6, Ferran Ballester4,13, Jordi Sunyer2,3,4,6. 1. Département de psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. 2. Institut de Salut Global de Barcelona (ISGlobal), Barcelona, Spain. 3. Hospital del Mar Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain. 4. Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain. 5. Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain. 6. Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. 7. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology, Erasmus University Medical Centre-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. 8. BIODONOSTIA, Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria, San Sebastián, Spain. 9. Facultad de Psicología, UPV-EHU. San Sebastián, Basque Country, Spain. 10. Subdirección Salud Publica Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain. 11. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain. 12. University Jaume I, Castellón, Spain. 13. FISABIO-UJI-University of Valencia Joint Research Unit, Valencia, Spain.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Several studies have related longer breastfeeding duration to better intellectual performance in children. By contrast, few studies have investigated the potential protective effects of breastfeeding against behavioral problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and even fewer on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) traits. METHODS: We examined the association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive development, attention, ADHD symptoms, and autistic traits using data from the INMA Project, a Spanish multicenter birth-cohort study, and taking into account the intensity of breastfeeding. Duration of any, predominant, and exclusive breastfeeding was documented during infancy through maternal questionnaires. Children (N = 1,346; mean age = 4.9 y) were assessed using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities, Conners' Kiddie Continuous Performance Test, criteria of the DSM-ADHD symptoms form list, and the Childhood Autism Spectrum Test. RESULTS: After adjustment for several confounders, longer duration of breastfeeding was independently associated with better cognitive development and with fewer autistic traits. CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence of a positive association of breastfeeding with cognitive function apart from socio-environmental factors, and also suggests a protective role against autistic traits. Results are in agreement with recommendations for prolonged breastfeeding duration to promote child development.
BACKGROUND: Several studies have related longer breastfeeding duration to better intellectual performance in children. By contrast, few studies have investigated the potential protective effects of breastfeeding against behavioral problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and even fewer on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) traits. METHODS: We examined the association between breastfeeding duration and cognitive development, attention, ADHD symptoms, and autistic traits using data from the INMA Project, a Spanish multicenter birth-cohort study, and taking into account the intensity of breastfeeding. Duration of any, predominant, and exclusive breastfeeding was documented during infancy through maternal questionnaires. Children (N = 1,346; mean age = 4.9 y) were assessed using the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities, Conners' Kiddie Continuous Performance Test, criteria of the DSM-ADHD symptoms form list, and the Childhood Autism Spectrum Test. RESULTS: After adjustment for several confounders, longer duration of breastfeeding was independently associated with better cognitive development and with fewer autistic traits. CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence of a positive association of breastfeeding with cognitive function apart from socio-environmental factors, and also suggests a protective role against autistic traits. Results are in agreement with recommendations for prolonged breastfeeding duration to promote child development.
Authors: Mandy B Belfort; Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman; Ken P Kleinman; Lauren B Guthrie; David C Bellinger; Elsie M Taveras; Matthew W Gillman; Emily Oken Journal: JAMA Pediatr Date: 2013-09 Impact factor: 16.193
Authors: J Thomas Brenna; Behzad Varamini; Robert G Jensen; Deborah A Diersen-Schade; Julia A Boettcher; Linda M Arterburn Journal: Am J Clin Nutr Date: 2007-06 Impact factor: 7.045
Authors: Stephen T Schultz; Hillary S Klonoff-Cohen; Deborah L Wingard; Natacha A Akshoomoff; Caroline A Macera; Ming Ji; Christopher Bacher Journal: Int Breastfeed J Date: 2006-09-15 Impact factor: 3.461
Authors: Hyeong-Moo Shin; Deborah H Bennett; Antonia M Calafat; Daniel Tancredi; Irva Hertz-Picciotto Journal: Environ Res Date: 2020-04-14 Impact factor: 6.498
Authors: Gnakub N Soke; Matthew Maenner; Gayle Windham; Eric Moody; Jamie Kaczaniuk; Carolyn DiGuiseppi; Laura A Schieve Journal: Autism Res Date: 2019-03-09 Impact factor: 5.216
Authors: Kefeng Li; Kerri Bertrand; Jane C Naviaux; Jonathan M Monk; Alan Wells; Lin Wang; Sai Sachin Lingampelly; Robert K Naviaux; Christina Chambers Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2022-09-15 Impact factor: 3.953
Authors: Susan A Korrick; Juliette C Madan; Hannah E Laue; Margaret R Karagas; Modupe O Coker; David C Bellinger; Emily R Baker Journal: Pediatr Res Date: 2021-11-04 Impact factor: 3.953
Authors: Theresa L Pedersen; Jennifer T Smilowitz; Carl K Winter; Shiva Emami; Rebecca J Schmidt; Deborah H Bennett; Irva Hertz-Picciotto; Ameer Y Taha Journal: J Agric Food Chem Date: 2021-06-08 Impact factor: 5.895
Authors: Wanêssa Lacerda Poton; Ana Luiza Gonçalves Soares; Elizabete Regina Araújo de Oliveira; Helen Gonçalves Journal: Rev Saude Publica Date: 2018-02-05 Impact factor: 2.106