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Effects of Breastfeeding on Cognitive Abilities at 4 Years Old: Cohort Study

  • Identification data

    Identifier: imarina:9379175
    Authors:
    Vargas-Pérez SHernández-Martínez CVoltas NMorales-Hidalgo PCanals JArija V
    Abstract:
    Human breast milk dynamically adapts to meet the needs of healthy neurodevelopment. While a great deal of research has examined the relationship between breastfeeding, infant cognitive development and IQ, findings are inconclusive when potential confounders are adjusted for. This raises questions about the various ways in which breastfeeding and other crucial factors can impact on infant IQ and cognitive abilities. The main aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between breastfeeding and child IQ and cognitive abilities after adjusting for sociodemographic, perinatal and postnatal variables. The participants were 613 boys and girls aged 4–5 years old from two cohort studies carried out in Tarragona, Spain. IQ and cognitive abilities were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV (WPPSI-IV). Sociodemographic, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors were collected. Descriptive analyses compared mother and infant characteristics by breastfeeding categories using Chi-squared and ANOVA tests. Regression models explored associations between breastfeeding duration and WPPSI-IV indexes. Breastfeeding from 1 to 8 months was related to higher scores on the Full-Scale IQ (b = 3.909, p = 0.035) and Working Memory Index (b = 3.757, p = 0.044), Non-Verbal Index (b = 4.184, p = 0.029), Cognitive Proficiency Index (b = 4.015, p = 0.038) at 4–5 years old, even after adjusting for the mother’s IQ and mother-infant attachment difficulties. Our study emphasizes the numerous advantages of breastfeeding and underscores the importance of infants being breastfed through healthcare and health policies. Advocating breastfeeding for the first six months of life is crucial for enhancing lifelong well-being and cognitive development in children.
  • Others:

    Author, as appears in the article.: Vargas-Pérez S; Hernández-Martínez C; Voltas N; Morales-Hidalgo P; Canals J; Arija V
    Department: Psicologia
    URV's Author/s: Arija Val, Maria Victoria / Canals Sans, Josefa / Hernandez Martinez, Carmen / Morales Hidalgo, Paula / Vargas Pérez, Susana / Voltas Moreso, Núria
    Keywords: Breastfeeding Cognitive abilities Executive function Intelligence quotient
    Abstract: Human breast milk dynamically adapts to meet the needs of healthy neurodevelopment. While a great deal of research has examined the relationship between breastfeeding, infant cognitive development and IQ, findings are inconclusive when potential confounders are adjusted for. This raises questions about the various ways in which breastfeeding and other crucial factors can impact on infant IQ and cognitive abilities. The main aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between breastfeeding and child IQ and cognitive abilities after adjusting for sociodemographic, perinatal and postnatal variables. The participants were 613 boys and girls aged 4–5 years old from two cohort studies carried out in Tarragona, Spain. IQ and cognitive abilities were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV (WPPSI-IV). Sociodemographic, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal factors were collected. Descriptive analyses compared mother and infant characteristics by breastfeeding categories using Chi-squared and ANOVA tests. Regression models explored associations between breastfeeding duration and WPPSI-IV indexes. Breastfeeding from 1 to 8 months was related to higher scores on the Full-Scale IQ (b = 3.909, p = 0.035) and Working Memory Index (b = 3.757, p = 0.044), Non-Verbal Index (b = 4.184, p = 0.029), Cognitive Proficiency Index (b = 4.015, p = 0.038) at 4–5 years old, even after adjusting for the mother’s IQ and mother-infant attachment difficulties. Our study emphasizes the numerous advantages of breastfeeding and underscores the importance of infants being breastfed through healthcare and health policies. Advocating breastfeeding for the first six months of life is crucial for enhancing lifelong well-being and cognitive development in children.
    Thematic Areas: Ciencias sociales Developmental and educational psychology Education Education & educational research
    licence for use: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/
    Author's mail: victoria.arija@urv.cat josefa.canals@urv.cat carmen.hernandez@urv.cat susana.vargas@urv.cat nuria.voltas@urv.cat paula.morales@urv.cat susana.vargas@urv.cat
    Author identifier: 0000-0002-1758-0975 0000-0002-6209-9558 0000-0001-6328-8679 0000-0001-8855-0282
    Record's date: 2024-10-12
    Papper version: info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
    Link to the original source: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13158-024-00396-z
    Papper original source: International Journal Of Early Childhood.
    APA: Vargas-Pérez S; Hernández-Martínez C; Voltas N; Morales-Hidalgo P; Canals J; Arija V (2024). Effects of Breastfeeding on Cognitive Abilities at 4 Years Old: Cohort Study. International Journal Of Early Childhood, (), -. DOI: 10.1007/s13158-024-00396-z
    Licence document URL: https://repositori.urv.cat/ca/proteccio-de-dades/
    Article's DOI: 10.1007/s13158-024-00396-z
    Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili
    Journal publication year: 2024
    Publication Type: Journal Publications
  • Keywords:

    Developmental and Educational Psychology,Education,Education & Educational Research
    Breastfeeding
    Cognitive abilities
    Executive function
    Intelligence quotient
    Ciencias sociales
    Developmental and educational psychology
    Education
    Education & educational research
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