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Early infant feeding effect on growth and body composition during the first 6 years and neurodevelopment at age 72

Sarah Sobik1,2,3, Clark R Sims1, Ginger McCorkle1

  • 1Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, AR, USA.

Pediatric Research
|September 22, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Human milk (breastfed), cow's milk-based, and soy protein-based infant formulas all support adequate growth and development up to age 6. Differences in body composition, like BMI, were observed between feeding groups after 24 months.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Child Development
  • Human Lactation

Background:

  • Longitudinal characterization of infant feeding methods: human milk (breastfed, BF), cow's milk-based formula (MF), and soy protein-based formula (SF).
  • Focus on developmental status, growth, and body composition from 3 to 12 months of age.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the long-term effects of different infant feeding strategies on child development and body composition.
  • To assess developmental outcomes and growth patterns up to age 6 years in children fed BF, MF, or SF.

Main Methods:

  • Standardized anthropometrics and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for growth and body composition assessment at multiple time points up to 72 months.
  • Neurodevelopmental assessments using Preschool Language Scale-3, Children's Memory Scale Index (CMS), and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence at 72 months.
  • Statistical analysis using mixed-effects models, adjusting for relevant covariates.

Main Results:

  • Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly lower in breastfed (BF) children compared to soy formula (SF) fed children from 24 to 72 months.
  • Fat mass (FM) varied: higher in BF vs. SF at 3-6 months, but lower in BF vs. SF at 36-48 months.
  • The Delayed Recognition Index of the CMS was higher in SF than MF participants; no other significant developmental differences were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Breastfeeding (BF), cow's milk-based formula (MF), and soy protein-based formula (SF) adequately support growth and development through age 6 years.
  • Significant differences in body composition (BMI) emerge after 24 months based on infant feeding methods.
  • All studied diets provide sufficient nutrients for normal development up to 72 months of age.
Abstract

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