The duration of breastfeeding and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
H Kadziela-Olech1, J Piotrowska-Jastrzebska
1Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Disorders of Children and Adolescents, Children Hospital of Medical University of Białystok, Poland. halkolech@mediclub.pl
Insights
Short breastfeeding duration is linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children. This environmental factor may increase ADHD risk, warranting further investigation into early life influences.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Environmental Health
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Identifying modifiable risk factors for ADHD is crucial for early intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the duration of breastfeeding and the presence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children.
- To evaluate breastfeeding duration as a potential environmental risk factor for ADHD.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 100 children aged 4-11 years.
- Two groups were formed: 60 children diagnosed with ADHD symptoms (ICD-10) and 40 typically developing controls.
- Data on breastfeeding duration and other perinatal factors were collected retrospectively via structured interviews and questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD symptoms had a significantly shorter mean duration of breastfeeding (0.45 years) compared to the control group (0.55 years).
- A higher percentage of children with ADHD (60%) were breastfed for less than 3 months, versus 32.5% in the control group.
- No significant differences were observed in other perinatal factors like pregnancy duration, complications, or birth weight between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Shorter breastfeeding duration is identified as a potential environmental risk factor associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms.
- These findings suggest that early life environmental exposures, such as breastfeeding duration, may play a role in ADHD development.
- Further research is recommended to confirm these associations and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
Purpose:
To examine whether duration of the breastfeeding is associated with the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
Material And Methods:
A total of 100 children aged 4-11 years were divided into two groups: 60 children with ADHD symptoms (based on ICD-10) and 40 subjects of normal control grup. The structured interview and the retrospective questionnaire (including the items: number of pregnancy, pregnancy course, gestational age, status of newborn, birth weight, duration of breastfeeding: <3 months; 3-6 months; 6-12 months; >12 months) were used during the study of the both examined groups to indicate the risk factors of development.
Results:
No significant differences in the percentages of duration of pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery complications, condition of the newborn, and birth weight were found between the two groups. The mean of the duration of breastfeeding for group with ADHD was 0.45 year: 5 months and 9 days (median 0.25 year: 3 months). The mean of the duration of breastfeeding of control group was 0.55 year: 6 months and 18 days (median 0.46 year: 5 months) and was significantly greater than that of group with ADHD (p<0.04). The 36 (60%) children with ADHD were breast fed less than 3 months. For comparison 13 (32.5%) controls were breast fed less than 3 months. Significant differences were found among the two children groups (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The short duration of breastfeeding as environmental factor may be considered a risk factor of ADHD symptoms. However, the further studies are nedeed.
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