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Published on: July 13, 2014
Breastfeeding and neurodevelopment in infants with prenatal alcohol exposure
Kristen E Schaffer1,2, Christina D Chambers1,2, Richard S Garfein1
1Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
Insights
Breastfeeding may benefit infants with high prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). Longer breastfeeding was linked to better neurodevelopment scores in infants with high PAE, but not moderate PAE.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited research exists on how breastfeeding impacts infant neurodevelopment differently across varying levels of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE).
- Understanding these interactions is crucial for targeted interventions and parental guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the modifying effect of breastfeeding on the relationship between prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and infant neurodevelopment.
- To determine if breastfeeding offers protective benefits against neurodevelopmental deficits associated with PAE.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 385 infants in Ukraine.
- Neurodevelopment assessed at 6 and 12 months using Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI).
- Statistical analysis included linear regression with interaction terms and stratification by PAE levels.
Main Results:
- A significant interaction between PAE and breastfeeding duration was found for MDI and PDI at both 6 and 12 months.
- Infants with high PAE who were breastfed for at least four months showed significantly higher BSID-II scores (14+ points) compared to never-breastfed infants.
- Interestingly, infants with moderate PAE exhibited poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months with longer breastfeeding duration.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding and PAE have a significant joint effect on infant neurodevelopment.
- Breastfeeding appears to confer distinct neurodevelopmental benefits, particularly for infants exposed to higher levels of PAE in utero.
Background:
Few studies have evaluated the differential benefits of breastfeeding on infant neurodevelopment at varying levels of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE). This study examined whether the association between breastfeeding and neurodevelopment is modified by prenatal drinking pattern.
Methods:
The study included 385 infants from Ukraine born to women prospectively enrolled in a cohort study during pregnancy. Neurodevelopment was assessed at six and 12 months using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI). Linear regression modeling with interaction terms and stratification by PAE group was used to determine the relationship between breastfeeding, PAE, and neurodevelopment.
Results:
A significant interaction between PAE and breastfeeding was observed for the MDI and PDI at six and 12 months. Infants with high PAE who were breastfed at least four months had BSID-II scores 14 or more points higher compared to those never breastfed. Counterintuitively, those with moderate PAE had poorer performance on the BSID-II at 12 months when breastfed longer.
Conclusion:
There was a significant joint effect of PAE and breastfeeding on infant neurodevelopment at six and 12 months. Breastfeeding may provide distinct benefits to infants exposed to high levels of PAE.
Impact:
We found a positive effect of breastfeeding on infant neurodevelopment among infants with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), particularly those exposed to higher levels during gestation. This study is one of the first to evaluate whether breastfeeding mitigates harm caused by PAE. Breastfeeding may provide distinct benefits to infants with higher levels of PAE.
