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Association between breastfeeding duration and neurodevelopment in Chinese children aged 2 to 3 years
Xiaoguo Zheng1, Ruili Li1, Lihong Wang1
1Department of Children Health and Development, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China.
Insights
Longer breastfeeding duration is linked to better child neurodevelopment. Breastfeeding for 7-12 months or more showed significant improvements in gross motor, fine motor, and language skills in Chinese children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurodevelopment
- Child Health Research
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- Breastfeeding is recognized for its health benefits.
- Understanding its long-term impact on neurodevelopment is crucial for public health.
- Previous research has explored this association, but population-specific data is valuable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between the duration of breastfeeding and neurodevelopmental outcomes in Chinese children aged 2-3 years.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for breastfeeding practices in China.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional survey using data from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children in China (2019-2020).
- Interview-administered questionnaires collected data on parental and child characteristics, including breastfeeding duration.
- Neuropsychological development was assessed using the Child Psychological Development Scale by trained physicians.
Main Results:
- Children breastfed for 7-12 months showed significant increases in gross motor (3.59 points), fine motor (3.73 points), and language development (2.87 points) compared to never-breastfed children.
- Children breastfed for over 12 months demonstrated a significant increase in fine motor development (3.77 points).
- These associations remained significant after adjusting for potential confounders in multivariable linear regression models.
Conclusions:
- Extended breastfeeding duration is positively associated with enhanced gross motor, fine motor, and language development in young Chinese children.
- Maternal education and support for initiating and continuing breastfeeding are recommended.
- Findings support public health initiatives promoting longer breastfeeding durations in China.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between breastfeeding duration and neurodevelopment in children aged 2 to 3 years in a Chinese population.
Methods:
This study was based on a cross-sectional survey. The data were from the National Nutrition and Health Systematic Survey for children in China which was conducted from 2019 to 2020. Characteristics of parents and children and the breastfeeding duration were obtained using interview-administered questionnaires. Children's neuropsychological development was assessed by a trained child health care physician using the Child Psychological Development Scale. A multivariable linear regression model was used to analyze the association between breastfeeding duration and neuropsychological development.
Results:
A total 1290 children aged 2-3 years were included in the present analysis. In multivariable linear regression models, after adjustment for potential confounders, children who were breastfed for 7-12 months had a 3.59-point increase in gross motor development (β = 3.59; 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.23 to 6.34), a 3.73-point increase in fine motor development (β = 3.73; 95 % CI: 1.09 to 6.47), and a 2.87-point in language development (β = 2.87; 95 % CI: 1.12 to 5.31) compared with those who were never breastfed. Children who were breastfed for > 12 months had a 3.77-point increase in fine motor development (β = 3.77; 95 % CI: 0.98 to 6.86) compared with those who were never breastfed.
Conclusions:
Longer breastfeeding duration was associated with increased gross motor, fine motor, and language scores in our study population. Mothers in China should be encouraged to initiate and continue breastfeeding.
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