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Association between infant feeding and ADHD development in childhood: a birth cohort study in Taiwan

Chiu-Ying Chen1,2, Pin-Yang Shih2, Chih-Ting Su3

  • 1Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.

Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines
|December 21, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Early complementary feeding, like rice solids, may protect infants from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Breastfeeding benefits were not significant after controlling for other risk factors in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Pediatric health
  • Nutritional epidemiology

Background:

  • Infant feeding practices are crucial for neurodevelopment.
  • Potential links between breastfeeding, complementary feeding, and ADHD risk exist but require robust evidence.
  • Existing research often relies on cross-sectional designs, limiting causal inference.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the temporal relationship between infant feeding and the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  • To utilize longitudinal data from a birth cohort to examine this association.
  • To identify specific feeding patterns that may influence ADHD risk.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study design was employed using data from the Taiwan Birth Cohort Study (Wave I to IV).
  • The study included 19,721 participants with comprehensive data on infant feeding, medical history, and ADHD occurrence.
  • An extended Cox model with time-dependent covariates was utilized to analyze the association between infant feeding and ADHD incidence.

Main Results:

  • The cumulative incidence of ADHD was 5.56 per 1,000 person-years over a 54-month period.
  • Complementary feeding with rice solid food was associated with a reduced risk of ADHD (HR=0.73).
  • Factors increasing ADHD risk included male sex, lower income, low birth weight, maternal factors, and certain child/parental medical conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Introducing complementary feeding within the first six months is important for protecting infants against ADHD.
  • The protective effect of breastfeeding within six months was not statistically significant when adjusted for other variables.
  • Larger observational studies with extended follow-up periods are recommended due to the limited number of ADHD cases observed.
Abstract

Keywords:
Infant feedingattention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorderbirth cohortbreastfeedingcomplementary feeding

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