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Sex-specific association between infant diet and white matter integrity in 8-y-old children

Xiawei Ou1, Aline Andres2, Mario A Cleves2

  • 11] Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, Arkansas [2] Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas [3] Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Pediatric Research
|August 29, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding is linked to enhanced white matter development in boys by age 8. This study found higher fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the brains of breastfed boys, suggesting improved brain structure. No significant differences were seen in girls.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Human Biology

Background:

  • Breastfeeding is recommended for infant development, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.
  • Previous research suggests breastfeeding positively impacts cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
  • Understanding the neurobiological basis of these benefits is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between breastfeeding and brain white matter development.
  • To explore potential sex differences in the effects of breastfeeding on brain structure.
  • To correlate white matter integrity with cognitive and language assessments.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 56 healthy children aged 7.5–8.5 years, categorized by infant feeding (breastfed vs. formula-fed).
  • Cognitive and language abilities were assessed using the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scale (RIAS) and Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF-4).
  • Brain magnetic resonance imaging, specifically diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), was used to measure white matter fractional anisotropy (FA).

Main Results:

  • Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) revealed significantly higher white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) in the left hemisphere of breastfed (BF) males compared to formula-fed (FF) males.
  • These differences were most pronounced in males exclusively breastfed for at least one year.
  • No significant group differences in FA were observed between breastfed and formula-fed females.
  • Higher mean FA values positively correlated with composite scores on both the RIAS and CELF-4 assessments.

Conclusions:

  • Infant breastfeeding was associated with enhanced white matter development in 8-year-old boys.
  • A similar association between breastfeeding and white matter development was not observed in girls.
  • These findings suggest potential sex-specific neurobiological effects of breastfeeding.
Abstract

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