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Type of feeding during infancy and later development of schizophrenia
1Department of Psychiatry, Teikyo University Mizonokuchi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan. tsukasa@med.teikyo-u.ac.jp
Insights
Breast-feeding is not linked to developing schizophrenia later in life. This study found no negative association between infant feeding patterns and schizophrenia risk in adulthood.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Nutrition plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment.
- Schizophrenia development may be influenced by early-life factors.
- Previous research suggested a link between reduced breast-feeding and later schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate infant feeding patterns in individuals with schizophrenia.
- To determine if breast-feeding is associated with schizophrenia risk.
- To examine feeding patterns in patients, their siblings, and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- A structured written questionnaire was used.
- Feeding patterns of 100 schizophrenia patients were assessed.
- Data from 37 siblings and 200 age-matched healthy controls were compared.
Main Results:
- No negative association was found between breast-feeding and schizophrenia.
- Infant feeding patterns did not correlate with schizophrenia development in this cohort.
- The study did not support the hypothesis of reduced breast-feeding in schizophrenia.
Conclusions:
- Breast-feeding is not a risk factor for developing schizophrenia.
- Early nutrition, specifically breast-feeding, does not appear to negatively impact schizophrenia risk.
- Further research into neurodevelopment and schizophrenia etiology is warranted.
Abstract:
Nutrition may be critical for neurodevelopment and can affect the later development of schizophrenia. Recently, a marked reduction in breast-feeding was reported in infants that developed schizophrenia in later life (McCreadie, R.G., 1997. The Nithsdale Schizophrenia Surveys. 16. Breast-feeding and schizophrenia: preliminary results and hypothesis. Br. J. Psychiatr. 170, 334-337). In the present study, we investigated feeding patterns during the infancy of 100 schizophrenia patients, 37 of their siblings and 200 age-matched healthy controls using a structured written questionnaire. Having been breast-fed was not negatively associated with schizophrenia.