[Breastfeeding and cognitive development; interference evaluation by "5 digits test"]
Juan Manuel Pérez Ruiz1, M Concepción Iribar Ibabe2, José María Peinado Herreros3
1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular. Facultad de Medicina. Universidad de Granada. España.. mciribar@ugr.es.
Nutricion Hospitalaria
|April 1, 2014
Summary
Longer breastfeeding duration, particularly for at least six months, is linked to enhanced cognitive processing speed and attention abilities in school-aged children. This supports breastfeeding for improved cognitive development and potential prevention of attention deficits.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
Context:
- Growing prevalence of childhood attention deficits in Western societies.
- Limited research on the long-term cognitive benefits of early-life breastfeeding.
- Need for evidence-based recommendations for infant nutrition.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the long-term effects of breastfeeding duration on cognitive development.
- To investigate the role of breastfeeding in preventing attention deficit and hyperactivity.
- To analyze cognitive processing speed and attentional control in young children.
Summary:
- A study of 103 six-year-old children found a significant linear correlation between breastfeeding duration and cognitive performance.
- Children breastfed for six months demonstrated superior performance in reading and attention tasks compared to those breastfed for only one month.
- Results indicate faster cognitive processing and reduced interference in children breastfed for at least six months.
Impact:
- Provides evidence supporting breastfeeding for at least six months to foster cognitive development.
- Suggests breastfeeding may play a role in mitigating attention deficits and hyperactivity disorders.
- Highlights the need for further research to reinforce breastfeeding recommendations for at-risk children.
