The Assessment of Psychomotor Development in Full-Term Children at 12 Months of Age with Munich Functional Development Diagnostics Depending on the Feeding Method: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Published on: June 20, 2020
Grażyna Pazera1,2, Marta Młodawska1,2, Kamila Kukulska3
1Collegium Medicum, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 25-369 Kielce, Poland.
Insights
Breastfeeding for at least six months enhances social skills in infants compared to formula feeding. This study highlights the importance of feeding methods for early childhood development and social skill acquisition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Child Neurology
Background:
- Psychomotor development is crucial for assessing child growth and development.
- Optimizing early childcare and addressing risk factors are key to a child's developmental potential.
- Feeding methods may influence psychomotor development outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of infant feeding methods on psychomotor development.
- To assess psychomotor development at 12 months using the Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics (MFDD).
Main Methods:
- 242 full-term infants were assessed at 12 months using MFDD by a child neurologist.
- Infants were categorized into two groups: breastfed (146) and formula-fed (93).
- Analysis included obstetric/neonatal risk factors and MFDD scores.
Main Results:
- A significant difference was observed in social skills between breastfed and formula-fed infants.
- No significant differences were found in gross motor, fine motor, perception, or speech development.
- Social skills showed a positive association with breastfeeding duration.
Conclusions:
- Exclusively breastfed infants (≥6 months) demonstrate superior social skills compared to formula-fed infants.
- The feeding method, particularly breastfeeding, positively impacts social skill development in early childhood.
- MFDD is a valuable tool for assessing developmental outcomes related to feeding practices.
Background:
Psychomotor development is the most important outcome determining the proper growth and development of children. Optimizing childcare and modifying risk factors can provide the child with the best conditions to realize their developmental potential. The study aimed to assess the impact of the feeding method on the psychomotor development of full-term children at 12 months of age with Munich Functional Developmental Diagnostics (MFDD).
Methods:
The study included 242 full-term children who were examined at 12 months of age by a child neurologist using MFDD. The children were divided into two groups depending on the feeding method: breastfed (146) vs. formula-fed (93). We analysed selected obstetric and neonatal risk factors as well as MFDD scores within the groups.
Results:
The only axis on the MFDD scale on which we observed a difference between the groups was social skills. No differences were noted between the groups in the analysis of the gross and fine motor skills, with regard to perception or active and passive speech.
Conclusions:
The full-term, exclusively breastfed infants over their first 6 months of age or longer have greater social skills in comparison with the formula-fed infants when measured on the MFDD axis.
