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A systematic review and meta-analysis of breastfeeding and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infant

Ruolin Zhang1, Erya Ying1, Xiujuan Wu1

  • 1Department of Neonatology, Nanshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.

Frontiers in Public Health
|December 6, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Breastfeeding preterm infants improves cognitive scores and reduces neurodevelopmental impairment risk. Donor breast milk benefits are unclear, and motor development requires further research.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Health
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Prematurity poses significant global health challenges for neonates.
  • Breastfeeding is crucial for preterm infant care, but its neurodevelopmental impact requires clarification.
  • This systematic review synthesizes current evidence on breastfeeding and preterm infant neurodevelopment.

Approach:

  • A comprehensive search of multiple databases was conducted on December 17, 2023.
  • Included studies were randomized controlled trials and observational studies, analyzed via meta-analysis.
  • Risk of bias and GRADE certainty were assessed for all included studies.

Key Points:

  • Any breastfeeding (Any-BF) was associated with better cognitive scores versus never breastfeeding (Never-BF).
  • Preterm infants receiving predominant breastfeeding (Pre-BF) showed improved cognitive scores before 18 months compared to preterm formula (Pre-PTF).
  • Any-BF reduced neurodevelopmental impairment risk; motor development effects were inconclusive, with potential benefits for extremely low birth weight infants.

Conclusions:

  • Current recommendations for breastfeeding preterm infants are supported by findings of improved cognitive function and reduced neurodevelopmental disorder risk.
  • Evidence on donor breast milk (DBM) neurodevelopmental benefits compared to preterm formula is insufficient.
  • Further research is needed to understand breastfeeding's impact on motor development in preterm infants.
Abstract

Keywords:
breastfeedingcognitivemotorneurodevelopmental impairmentneurodevelopmental outcomespreterm infant

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