Relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in children
Carlos Berlanga-Macías1, Mairena Sánchez-López1,2, Montserrat Solera-Martínez1
1Social and Health Care Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.
Insights
Exclusive breastfeeding showed no significant link to higher brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in Spanish schoolchildren aged 8-11. This study found no association between breastfeeding duration and BDNF serum levels in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Human Biology
Background:
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is crucial for neuronal development and function.
- Human milk contains BDNF, suggesting a potential link between breastfeeding and infant neurodevelopment.
- Previous research indicates a possible positive relationship between breastfeeding and BDNF levels in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between exclusive breastfeeding and serum BDNF levels in Spanish schoolchildren.
- To determine if exclusive breastfeeding duration impacts BDNF levels in children aged 8-11 years.
- To explore the relationship between BDNF levels and factors like age and sexual maturation in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 202 schoolchildren (8-11 years) in Cuenca, Spain.
- Data collected on sociodemographic, anthropometric, sexual maturation, and birth weight.
- Exclusive breastfeeding status (none, ≤6 months, >6 months) and serum BDNF levels (ELISA) were assessed.
- Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) used to control for confounders.
Main Results:
- No statistically significant differences in BDNF serum levels were found between children exclusively breastfed for >6 months and those not exclusively breastfed (p > 0.05).
- BDNF levels did not differ significantly between age groups (8-9 vs. 10-11 years; p > 0.05).
- No significant negative trend in BDNF levels was observed concerning sexual maturation categories (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Exclusive breastfeeding does not appear to significantly enhance BDNF levels in schoolchildren aged 8-11 years.
- Hormonal development associated with sexual maturation did not show a negative impact on BDNF levels in this age group.
- Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects of exclusive breastfeeding on BDNF across different developmental stages.
Objective:
A positive relationship between breastfeeding and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in infants has been suggested due to the presence of BDNF in human milk. This study aimed to determine the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and BDNF serum levels in Spanish schoolchildren.
Methods:
A cross-sectional analysis including 202 schoolchildren, aged eight to 11 years, from Cuenca, Spain, was conducted. Information on sociodemographic and anthropometric variables, sexual maturation, birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding ('no exclusive breastfeeding', and exclusive breastfeeding for ≤6 and >6 months), and BDNF serum levels using an ELISA method were obtained. Covariance analyses (ANCOVA) were conducted to examine the relationship between serological BDNF and exclusive breastfeeding after controlling for potential confounders.
Results:
ANCOVA models showed no significant differences in BDNF levels between children who were exclusively breastfed for more than six months versus those who were not (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed by age group (eight to nine years versus 10 to 11 years; p > 0.05). Additionally, no clear negative trend in BDNF serum levels according to sexual maturation categories was found (p > 0.05).
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that exclusive breastfeeding does not have a significant positive association on BDNF from eight to 11 years, since children who were exclusively breastfed did not have significantly higher BDNF levels than those who were not exclusively breastfed. Likewise, BDNF levels were not found to be negatively affected by hormonal development. Future research should examine the influence of exclusive breastfeeding on BDNF over the different developmental stages.
More Related Videos
05:44Author Spotlight: Collecting the Brain and Serum from the Same Mice Fetus to Study Brain Tumor Development
Published on: May 17, 2024
11:44Cellular Membrane Affinity Chromatography Columns to Identify Specialized Plant Metabolites Interacting with Immobilized Tropomyosin Kinase Receptor B
Published on: January 19, 2022
Related Concept Videos
00:49The Blood-brain Barrier
01:31Neurotransmitters